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NLJ this week: Civil tweaks & courtroom quirks

19 September 2025
Issue: 8131 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Civil way
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In his latest 'Civil way' column for this week's NLJ, Stephen Gold delivers a witty roundup of procedural updates and judicial oddities. From the rise in litigant-in-person hourly rates (£24 from October) to the Supreme Court’s venue hire options (canapés in Courtroom 1, anyone?), Gold blends legal insight with dry humour

He highlights PD updates affecting CE-File, arbitration, and competition law, while noting the RTA portal’s new automation for vehicle cost forms. The piece also touches on the assisted dying debate, LPA fee hikes, and the Supreme Court’s annual report—complete with stats on paper use and social media followers.

Gold’s column is a reminder that beneath the procedural grind lies a legal world full of quirks, contradictions, and the occasional canapé reception.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Burges Salmon—Lillian Mackenzie

Burges Salmon—Lillian Mackenzie

Projects and infrastructure team appoints partner in Edinburgh

Gateley Legal—Brian Dowling

Gateley Legal—Brian Dowling

Partner joins residential development team in Reading

DWF—Don Brown

DWF—Don Brown

Banking and finance team expands with strategic partner hire

NEWS
David Bailey-Vella of Davis Woolfe and chair of the Association of Costs Lawyers explores the new costs budgeting light pilot scheme in this week's NLJ
Lord Neuberger, former president of the Supreme Court, shares his views on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in this week's NLJ with William Raven
Writing in NLJ this week, Nick Brett and Vicky Lankester of Brett Wilson dissect the chronic failures of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in meeting disclosure obligations. From the Post Office scandal to the collapsed trial of Liam Allan, they highlight how systemic neglect has led to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice
In his latest 'Civil way' column for this week's NLJ, Stephen Gold delivers a witty roundup of procedural updates and judicial oddities. From the rise in litigant-in-person hourly rates (£24 from October) to the Supreme Court’s venue hire options (canapés in Courtroom 1, anyone?), Gold blends legal insight with dry humour
An MP charged with sexual assault successfully applied to withhold his home address from open court in R v Spencer [2025] Lexis Citation 2032. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth of Leicester De Montfort Law School examines the ruling and its implications for the open justice principle
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