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Law digests: 29 April 2022

29 April 2022
Issue: 7976 / Categories: Case law , In Court , Law digest
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Contempt of court

Braintree District Council v Wilson and others [2022] EWHC 753 (QB), [2022] All ER (D) 18 (Apr)

The Queen’s Bench Division allowed the claimant local authority’s committal application for contempt of court, against the first defendant. The application had been brought on the basis that the defendant had breached court orders following alleged breaches of planning control, through causing or allowing unauthorised works to be done on his land. Prior to the hearing, the defendant had largely admitted the allegations upon which the applications had been based, such that the main issue before the court was to decide on the appropriate sanction. The court held that the defendant’s breaches of court orders had amounted to criminal contempts. The defendant’s culpability had been high, due to his failure to engage with the planning process, his refusal to comply with court orders, and his evasive and untruthful response to committal proceedings. There had been a significant harm or risk of harm due to the defendant’s breaches. Despite the presence of several mitigating

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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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