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NLJ this week: Name the wrong firm, lose the right claim

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Clare Hughes-Williams and James Gardiner of DAC Beachcroft highlight the dangers of misidentifying defendants in negligence claims—especially after law firm mergers—in this week’s NLJ

In Leggett v AIG, the court ruled that liability does not automatically transfer to successor firms unless a clear novation agreement exists. Despite shared insurance, the LLP was not liable for pre-novation negligence by its predecessor. Claimants must carefully identify the correct legal entity or risk strike-out, as seen in Catton v County Solicitors, where a claim failed due to late substitution after the limitation period.

The authors stress that insurance arrangements do not determine liability, and successor status under indemnity policies does not ‘magically’ transfer responsibility. The takeaway: claimants must investigate firm histories and contractual relationships before issuing proceedings—or risk losing valid claims and facing costs consequences.

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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