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Law digests: 26 June 2020

23 June 2020
Issue: 7892 / Categories: Case law , Law digest , In Court
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Child

A local authority v M and others [2020] EWFC 43, [2020] All ER (D) 82 (Jun)

The father’s application to adjourn a part-heard final hearing, concerning the welfare of his child, was dismissed. The Family Court noted that the relevant principles and guidance applicable to determining the question of whether to hold a remote or hybrid hearing or to adjourn to await a fully face to face hearing had, necessarily, evolved as the understanding of the nature, extent and likely future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had evolved. The court held that it was clear from the signposts set out in ‘The Family Court and Covid-19: The Road Ahead’ that adjourning cases indefinitely or for a period of many months would not be a viable option and that adjourning a case to await a fully face to face hearing was unlikely to be a proper course where an effective and fair remote or hybrid hearing could be held with steps taken to maximise the fairness of that remote or hybrid process. Accordingly,

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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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