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24 October 2025 / Grania Langdon-Down
Issue: 8136 / Categories: Features , Profession , In Court
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Leading from the front: The Right Honourable Sir Julian Flaux

In a candid and reflective interview with NLJ, Sir Julian Flaux, Chancellor of the High Court, looks back on more than four decades in law—first as a leading light at the Commercial Bar and then as one of the senior judiciary’s most respected figures. 

As he prepares to step down as Chancellor, he shares his insights on the challenges and triumphs of leading the Business and Property Courts through some of the most testing periods in recent memory, and on why morale, mentorship and balance matter most

After nearly five years as one of the most senior judges in England and Wales, Sir Julian Flaux retires from his role as Chancellor of the High Court at the end of October. He hands the baton on to Lord Justice Colin Birss at a time when the Business and Property Courts, including the Commercial Court, are busier than ever, scotching fears that Brexit would see work going to rival jurisdictions.

A recent Law Society report showed the London

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Womble Bond Dickinson—Paula Myers

Womble Bond Dickinson—Paula Myers

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Paula Myers to private capital team in Leeds

mfg Solicitors—five promotions

mfg Solicitors—five promotions

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces five promotions at Birmingham office

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS
Calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 have been renewed, with the Bar Council arguing the current threshold criminalises children too early and risks pushing them towards lifelong offending
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
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