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Civil way: 10 November 2017

10 November 2017 / Stephen Gold
Issue: 7769 / Categories: Features , Civil way
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Webchat with HMCTS. Look, no PD! Another lessee bonus. Killing off the relatives.

 

LITIGANT CHAT UP LINES

‘Thanks for explaining. I now know I can participate in the hearing from a telephone kiosk with my pet rhinoceros accompanying me.’

‘So long as you have a licence, John. Now can we help you with anything else today—an online divorce, probate application, lasting power of attorney, bankruptcy application, complaint perhaps?’

‘Not today.’

‘Then would you like to participate in a short survey which will take no longer than 10 minutes and will qualify you for a free draw for a night out with the chief of HMCTS and a bottle of Prosecco?’

HMCTS has announced that for those comfortable using online services who might have a question about process, they will be providing webchat. This will connect the user with an officer (I mean a team member) via a window on the computer screen where they can message each other. The necessary technology is in place and they are working on how and when

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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
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
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
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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
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