Dominic Regan takes on the urgent task of updating some legal terms & shares some early examples
Alternative dispute resolution
Once seen as a bit soppy, it is now of deadly importance. Huge, adverse costs sanctions will be visited upon those who unreasonably reject the process. And it stops judges having to judge (see below).
Arbitrator
A self-appointed position secured by all ‘retiring’ Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. A reasonable period elapses before they announce their new occupation, typically three days. It is absolutely not about fees, first class flights, and being abroad during the grim British winter.
Commercial dispute
My bill hasn’t been paid.
International commercial dispute
My bill hasn’t been paid by a Russian.
Costs management
One specialist who attended the Civil Justice Council LASPO Review on 29 June 2018 declared that he had been failed by budgeting in 4,000 cases! A costs lawyer complained about the complexity and consequent expense of the exercise. One judge pretends it does not exist.
Court fees
Legalised extortion which the mafia wishes it
