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Long waits & justice delayed

12 June 2024
Issue: 8075 / Categories: Legal News , In Court
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Small claims cases in the county courts are taking more than a year (54 weeks on average) to go to trial—an increase of 30 weeks since 2010

More complex, high-value cases take more than a year and a half (80 weeks on average) to reach trial. The figures are drawn from ‘Civil justice statistics quarterly: January to March 2024’, published by the Ministry of Justice.

The statistician’s comment noted regional variation in the small claims data, with longer waiting times experienced in London and the South East.

Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said: ‘We know that delays can result in litigants dropping their claims, rather than put more time and money into them.’

He said eight courts, including Doncaster Justice Centre North and Blackpool County Court, had closed due to the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, while others were affected by leaky roofs.

Issue: 8075 / Categories: Legal News , In Court
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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
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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
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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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