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NLJ this week: A cautionary tale for prospective litigants in person

08 December 2023
Issue: 8052 / Categories: Legal News , In Court , Litigants in person
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Judges do not necessarily go easy on litigants in person, Stephen Gerlis, retired district judge and recorder, writes in this week’s NLJ

This is the takeaway from a recent case where a farmer made a disastrous decision to represent himself and his wife, as defendants, in a claim relating to a multi-fuel pipeline beneath their land.

It’s a cautionary tale. Gerlis takes us through a humbling litany of mistakes on the part of the unrepresented litigant, and the judge’s response. It is not always possible for a judge to step in where a litigant in person veers off-track. Gerlis writes: ‘This leaves us with the understanding that any assistance from the court to litigants in person is going to be very limited indeed.’ 

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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