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The NLJ Column

13 September 2007 / John Cooper KC
Issue: 7288 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Swift justice, although desirable, is not always the best course

Concerns have been expressed about the lack of judges available to sit in the Crown court. As a result of this shortfall, cases are being delayed as the backlog continues to grow. Whatever the reason for this shortage of judiciary, the ramifications are stark: accused people are left in a state of debilitating uncertainty as they await trial; and witnesses—be they for the prosecution or defence—face a continual and eroding pressure on their memory and recollection which can only partially be dealt with by reference to their written statements.

But the delay in bringing a case to court, with all its inherent dangers, is not a new problem. It has been prevalent in the coroner’s court for decades.

CORONIAL JUSTICE

Often, and unfairly, seen as the ugly sister to the more glamorous Crown court, coronial justice has been starved of funding and the will to reform for years. Only now, Harriet Harman promises us a new Bill to overhaul the inquest system—and not

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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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