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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

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
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