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NLJ this week: Charitable thanks but no thanks? Pro bono matters & healthy habits at work

28 June 2024
Issue: 8077 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Mental health , Pro Bono , Charities
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NLJ’s charity law special presents a trio of thought-provoking articles in this week’s issue

First up, when can charities lawfully refuse or return donations (where, for example, acceptance could result in reputational harm)? Neasa Coen, partner at Payne Hicks Beach, covers Charity Commission guidance and case law on this fascinating and topical issue.

Coen writes that high-value artistic works have been returned and substantial donations refused, for example, Save the Children refused £750,000 from Neptune Energy.

Next, Bryony Wells, director of development at Advocate, and Jessica Duxbury, associate, pro bono, Simmons & Simmons, set out the many pros and pluses of pro bono work. They write that pro bono not only makes a huge difference to the lives of clients but also benefits the lawyers, firms and chambers that do the work. Examples given include that it can ‘deepen relationship with commercial clients’ and can be used ‘to support applications to panels’.

Completing the trio, Elizabeth Rimmer, chief executive of LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, offers practical tips on establishing healthy habits in the workplace. Rimmer writes: ‘Establishing these early on can help build your resilience and enable you to flourish in your legal career.’

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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