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30 June 2011 / Oliver Gayner
Issue: 7472 / Categories: Features , Constitutional law
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A love supreme?

Oliver Gayner reviews the work of the UK Supreme Court in its Hilary term

A busy first term of the judicial year sees the Justices abolish immunity for expert witnesses, among other things, and the Judicial Appointments Committee confirm the appointments of Lord Justice Wilson & Jonathan Sumption QC.

While the UK Supreme Court continues to see a high proportion of human rights and public law cases, its caseload for the Hilary term was notably diverse. Among other issues, the justices were asked to consider noise levels in the knitting industry, the rights of nesting bats, collapsing oil rigs, and the characteristics of a barn as opposed to a dwelling house.

Alongside these more esoteric cases, there were also some more traditionally “Supreme Court” decisions, such as whether it is still justified in law to grant immunity to expert witnesses in civil proceedings, and the remedies available in cases of unlawful detention by government power. Set out below are some of the highlights of the term, both in and out of the courtroom.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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