header-logo header-logo

Retired costs judge John O’Hare discusses ADR in three contexts, in this week’s NLJ. He covers cases provisionally allocated to the small claims track, commercial litigation in the County Court, and claims opposed by liability insurers or by large self-insuring organisations such as local authorities or health authorities.
John O’Hare states some home truths about mediation

The Labour government’s position on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is not yet clear

ADR has the potential to alleviate various pressures on the courts, but Nikki Edwards argues for a nuanced approach
Mandatory ADR is here to stay, write Georgina Squire & Camilla Pratt
Three Court of Appeal judges have urged a couple whose cruise in Arctic Canada was diverted due to icy conditions to ‘reach a pragmatic settlement’ rather than continue through the courts
From encouragement to compulsion? Mediation in English civil justice after Churchill by Bryan Clark & Zora Kizilyurek
The Churchill v Merthyr Borough Council case has clarified the position on judge-mandated mediation—or has it?
Dominic Regan signs off the year covering a flurry of late developments without equal this century
Tony Allen takes an in-depth look at Churchill & considers its impact
Show
10
Results
Results
10
Results

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll