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NLJ this week: Deliveroo, vicarious liability & unsavoury bites

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Vicarious liability and the gig economy may not be a match made in heaven, certainly not from the perspective of Deliveroo riders and other workers

In this week’s NLJ, Ross Fletcher, senior lecturer, Northumbria Law School, examines an unusual case that has served up a menu of unsavoury snacks for those involved.

The story of R v Rocha starts with a pizza delivery and proceeds to Winchester Crown Court, via a substitute Deliveroo-er, a seemingly uncooperative customer and a bitten thumb. Fletcher attempts to untangle the threads of liability, with reference to existing case law on vicarious liability.

Fletcher writes: ‘The law reports contain many examples of attempts by commercial enterprises to evade liability for the acts of their workers. However, the law in this area has been quick to adapt accordingly, and it is likely that the same will be true of this case in any civil proceedings that may arise.’

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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