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NLJ this week: Litigation lawyers look to future

21 January 2021
Issue: 7917 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Covid-19 , Brexit
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Mental health, diversity and inclusion should be top priorities and more can be done to further efforts, according to a survey of litigation lawyers

The research, conducted by the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA) and NLJ, found 95% in favour of action to promote mental health, such as less emphasis on billable hours and respecting holidays and weekends. Some 89% of the 148 respondents believe agile working should be available post-Covid, while flexible working and wellbeing support for lawyers were seen as important.

Asked whether their firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion has improved in the past 12 months, 86% said it has. Unsurprisingly, 93% think more needs to be done within the profession―specific areas highlighted by respondents were tackling racism and racial discrimination, promoting and supporting social  mobility, ensuring diversity in senior management, focusing on creating an inclusive workplace culture and eliminating bias in recruitment, evaluation and promotion.

LSLA president Chris Bushell, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, said: ‘Although there has been a willingness to discuss mental health in the legal profession and across society as a whole in the last few years and embrace agile working, 2020 saw a real step change.

‘It is a similar story when we look at diversity and inclusion. Real progress is being made (which is fantastic), but there is still a long way to go and we cannot rest on our laurels.’

Also in the survey, three-quarters of respondents say the litigation market is growing (compared to only 44% last year), 82% predict a rise in litigation due to cross-border issues post-Brexit, and 89% expect a spike in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some 89% of lawyers responding also believe courts of the future should make greater use of virtual hearings.

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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