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15 September 2025
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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DWF—four appointments

Firm strengthens in-house advocacy with four new pupil appointments

DWF has welcomed four new pupils to its in-house Chambers, reinforcing its advocacy capabilities across England. Hannah Ritchie joins in London, bringing a growing practice in civil and commercial litigation, insurance and civil fraud. Called to the Bar in 2022, she became an advocate with DWF Chambers in 2024.

Hope Pranauskaite, based in Liverpool, has completed over 300 hearings as a self-employed advocate, with experience spanning landlord and tenant, enforcement, PI, RTA and commercial small claims. In Leeds, Matthew Butters joins with more than 1,800 hearings under his belt, covering housing possession, consumer credit, bankruptcy and interim applications. Roxana Chiper, based in Birmingham, adds further depth with extensive experience across RTA, consumer rights, housing and contract disputes.

Dan Monaghan, head of DWF Chambers, said: ‘Their combined experience and academic achievements will be a great asset to our clients and to the continued growth of our team.’ With this cohort, DWF Chambers has now supported 14 pupils to qualify since becoming an Authorised Education and Training Organisation.

The team has grown from seven to 40 advocates and clerks over five years, making it the largest commercial in-house advocacy team in England. With a presence in six major cities and a strong client base, DWF continues to invest in future talent as part of its long-term strategy.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Laytons ETL—Maximilian Kraitt

Laytons ETL—Maximilian Kraitt

Commercial firm strengthens real estate disputes team with associate hire

Switalskis—three appointments

Switalskis—three appointments

Firm appoints three directors to board

Browne Jacobson—seven promotions

Browne Jacobson—seven promotions

Six promoted to partner and one to legal director across UK and Ireland offices

NEWS

From blockbuster judgments to procedural shake-ups, the courts are busy reshaping litigation practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School hails the Court of Appeal's 'exquisite judgment’ in Mazur restoring the role of supervised non-qualified staff, and highlights a ‘mammoth’ damages ruling likened to War and Peace, alongside guidance on medical reporting fees, where a pragmatic 25% uplift was imposed

Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
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