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03 July 2026
Issue: 8168 / Categories: Legal News , Civil way , Procedure & practice
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NLJ this week: Remote hearings reshape the courtroom

Fresh guidance is set to influence how courts decide whether hearings take place online or in person

Writing in NLJ this week, Stephen Gold, NLJ columnist, examines new cross-jurisdiction guidance favouring remote hearings for many case management matters, some trials and dispute resolution hearings, while confirming contested family hearings should usually remain attended.

He also rounds up a series of procedural developments, including higher court and tribunal fees, new rental measures, greater land ownership transparency and fresh HMRC powers over tax avoidance promoters. Gold notes that a recent Online Procedure Rule Committee debate even turned on whether rules should say ‘shall’ or ‘will’, underlining how drafting nuances can matter.

His brisk survey shows procedural reform continues on multiple fronts, with remote participation likely to remain one of the most significant practical changes for litigators.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Ludlow office

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints partner in Leeds residential team

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS
Calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 have been renewed, with the Bar Council arguing the current threshold criminalises children too early and risks pushing them towards lifelong offending
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
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