Grania Langdon-Down

In a candid and reflective interview with NLJ, Sir Julian Flaux, Chancellor of the High Court, looks back on more than four decades in law—first as a leading light at the Commercial Bar and then as one of the senior judiciary’s most respected figures. 

As he prepares to step down as Chancellor, he shares his insights on the challenges and triumphs of leading the Business and Property Courts through some of the most testing periods in recent memory, and on why morale, mentorship and balance matter most

Throughout a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, Michael Zander has tirelessly championed the public interest, and endeavoured to make the justice system work better for those at the receiving end of the legal process. Now, in a wide-ranging NLJ interview with Grania Langdon-Down, Professor Zander reflects on his triggers, his achievements, his controversies, and his legacy

In a wide-ranging interview with NLJ, Mrs Justice Cockerill, head of the Commercial Court, describes the new challenges facing the court and how the pandemic allowed it to test new ways of working that will leave a lasting legacy.

Chief Master Shuman on her trailblazing appointment to the Chancery Division, the importance of stepping out of the comfort zone, & going back to basics on diversity: an interview with Grania Langdon-Down

In a special NLJ report, Grania Langdon-Down talks to Mrs Justice Cockerill, head of the Commercial Court, and litigators about the challenges of 2020 and what 2021 will bring in relation to work-flow, procedural reform, diversity and well-being. She also draws on responses from the latest London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA) and NLJ Litigation Trends Survey. Overall, most responders were positive that the litigation market would grow or, at least, remain unchanged. There was overwhelming support for virtual hearings and agile working. But there was also a strong message to the profession’s leaders that the legal community needs to do more to promote both diversity and inclusion and the importance of good mental health.

Twenty years on from the introduction of pension sharing on divorce, the issue remains a hugely complex area that can spark highly emotive battles with no guarantee of equality. Yet there are signs that practitioners and the courts are starting to change their approach to the division of pensions to ensure a fairer outcome. Grania Langdon-Down reports

How did the commercial litigation world cope when it had to go digital almost overnight? Grania Langdon-Down reports

As firms scramble for position post‑lockdown, effective marketing is crucial. Grania Langdon‑Down speaks to the experts