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08 September 2023
Issue: 8039 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Civil way , Costs
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NLJ this week: How to escape the fixed costs regime & more

Former district judge Stephen Gold takes us through ways in which to avoid the fixed recoverable costs regime, due to come into force on 1 October, in this week’s 'Civil way'.

For example, fixed costs could be avoided where non-monetary relief is sought and the lawyer can persuade the judge to use their discretion on ‘interests of justice’ grounds. He lists the types of cases where exclusions apply, for example, certain clinical negligence claims where both breach and causation have been admitted.

Gold helpfully explores various scenarios which may help lawyer and client escape the new regime. He also covers a rise in the special account rate, recent guidance from the president of the Family Division, new guidance for attorneys and deputies on vaccinations for those who lack mental capacity to consent, and more. 

Find more nuggets of Gold here.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

Ken Fowlie, chairman of Stowe Family Law, reflects on more than 30 years in legal services after ‘falling into law’

Gardner Leader—Michelle Morgan & Catherine Morris

Gardner Leader—Michelle Morgan & Catherine Morris

Regional law firm expands employment team with partner and senior associate hires

Freeths—Carly Harwood & Tom Newton

Freeths—Carly Harwood & Tom Newton

Nottinghamtrusts, estates and tax team welcomes two senior associates

NEWS
Children can claim for ‘lost years’ damages in personal injury cases, the Supreme Court has held in a landmark judgment
The cab-rank rule remains a bulwark of the rule of law, yet lawyers are increasingly judged by their clients’ causes. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian McDougall, president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, warns that conflating representation with endorsement is a ‘clear and present danger’
Holiday lets may promise easy returns, but restrictive covenants can swiftly scupper plans. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Francis of Serle Court recounts how covenants limiting use to a ‘private dwelling house’ or ‘private residence’ have repeatedly defeated short-term letting schemes
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already embedded in the civil courts, but regulation lags behind practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Ben Roe of Baker McKenzie charts a landscape where AI assists with transcription, case management and document handling, yet raises acute concerns over evidence, advocacy and even judgment-writing
The Supreme Court has drawn a firm line under branding creativity in regulated markets. In Dairy UK Ltd v Oatly AB, it ruled that Oatly’s ‘post-milk generation’ trade mark unlawfully deployed a protected dairy designation. In NLJ this week, Asima Rana of DWF explains that the court prioritised ‘regulatory clarity over creative branding choices’, holding that ‘designation’ extends beyond product names to marketing slogans
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