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NLJ this week: Post Office litigation—return to sender?

19 January 2024
Issue: 8055 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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The Post Office-Horizon IT scandal has exploded in the public consciousness, but not everyone agrees with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to quash convictions on a blanket basis

In this week’s NLJ, Professor Graham Zellick—a former chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, no less—raises objections to the unprecedented move.

Zellick writes: ‘The vigour demonstrated at long last by government, galvanised by the TV drama, is welcome, and the temptation of a quick and cheap fix is understandable. But that does not mean it is the right or the best solution. In fact, it is profoundly sub-optimal and its adoption is to be deeply regretted.’

He makes the case against, arguing Sunak’s fix is not only ‘repugnant to the rule of law’ but denies justice to the individuals concerned. Zellick suggests an alternative approach, that would work better.

Issue: 8055 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal
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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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