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05 June 2026
Issue: 8164 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services , Profession , Fees , Dispute resolution , Consumer
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NLJ this week: Victorian billings face the chop

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The civil justice landscape could be heading for a shake-up, with reform of the Solicitors Act 1974 gathering pace

Writing in NLJ this week, columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School argues the legislation is a 'ghastly piece of work', noting that disputes over relatively modest legal bills continue to consume disproportionate court resources.

He highlights proposals to divert challenges worth up to £50,000 to the Legal Ombudsman, while larger disputes could be channelled into mandatory ADR. He welcomes what he sees as overdue modernisation of a regime that 'substantially codified decisions from the reign of Queen Victoria'.

Regan also points to growing scrutiny of claims management companies, warning that aggressive marketing and opaque fees have placed the sector 'in jeopardy'.

Alongside judicial appointments and employment law recruitment pressures, he predicts 'radical reform ahead' for several corners of the legal system.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Ward Hadaway—Nicola Williams

Ward Hadaway—Nicola Williams

Specialist tax expertise expands with partner appointment

Howard Kennedy—Caroline Urban

Howard Kennedy—Caroline Urban

Firm strengthens corporate and capital raising specialism with partner hire

Payne Hicks Beach—Lucas Moore

Payne Hicks Beach—Lucas Moore

Commercial disputes partner succeeds Robert Brodrick as chair of management board

NEWS
As family structures evolve, the law may face difficult questions about inheritance rights for those in polyamorous relationships
A series of procedural developments could have significant practical consequences for litigators. Writing in NLJ this week, columnist Stephen Gold highlights important updates ranging from digital court reforms to family procedure and admissions of liability
Global mobility is transforming family law, creating new challenges around jurisdiction, assets and child arrangements
The civil justice landscape could be heading for a shake-up, with reform of the Solicitors Act 1974 gathering pace
Employers are being urged to prepare now for far-reaching employment law changes taking effect in January 2027
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