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NLJ this week: Covertly obtained evidence—tactics over truth?

01 August 2025
Issue: 8127 / Categories: Legal News , Commercial , Dispute resolution , Data protection , Privacy
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The murky rise of unlawfully obtained evidence in litigation is explored in this week's NLJ by Natalie Todd of Cooke, Young & Keidan and Nicholas Bortman of Raedas. From hacked emails to covert recordings and pretexting, investigators are pushing legal boundaries—and courts in England and beyond are increasingly admitting such material if it serves the public interest, even as they condemn the methods used

The authors warn that while claimants may feel forced to act when faced with dishonest opponents, the legal and ethical risks are real. Remedies for victims—like breach of confidence or misuse of private information—often fall short. As data privacy laws tighten, fraudsters gain cover while legitimate claimants struggle.

The authors call for clearer lines in this evolving legal battlefield, where the drive for truth collides with the rule of law. In today’s information age, the ends may not always justify the means.

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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