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Dear Auntie

03 July 2008
Issue: 7328 / Categories: Opinion
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Agony Column

Occasional advice for the judiciary and lawyers on matters of the mind, heart and (though auntie is a bit dodgy on it) the law

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Pick of the Week

Q The Courts Service has gone crazy. Most Crown Courts and combined courts in England and Wales have had Wi-Fi facilities installed. Is the existence of the facility at the court, before which I have to appear next month to show cause why a wasted costs order should not be made against me, sufficient ground for me to refuse to appear in person? Courtney Combes, Barley Chambers Annexe, Leeds

A Absolutely. This is a most dangerous development. One of the alleged benefits of the installation is that lawyers will be able to utilise their time more effectively between cases. The truth is probably that Wi-Fi will be relied on as justification for yet further cuts in lawyers' publicly funded fees pending death from radiation. Forward the judge a few pages from www.energyfields.org and tell him that you will participate in the hearing

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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
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
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