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NLJ this week: The dangers of suppressing evidence

03 February 2023
Issue: 8011 / Categories: Legal News , Disclosure , Procedure & practice , Sanctions
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Barrister Dr Mike Wilkinson discusses the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of disclosure, in this week’s NLJ

In a fascinating article, available here, he covers the seriousness of suppressing documents and other evidence, including such unfathomable incidents as accidentally losing a phone in the North Sea (Vardy v Rooney).

Wilkinson, of 18 St John Street Chambers, covers the Roman law of ‘exploitation’ (wanton destruction of evidence), the drawing of adverse inferences where a document is ‘conspicuous by its absence’, and much more. He warns of the risk of penalty, noting ‘there are plenty of sanctions short of a complete strike-out’ which the court can apply. 

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
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
The next generation is inheriting more than assets—it is inheriting complexity. Writing in NLJ this week, experts from Penningtons Manches Cooper chart how global mobility, blended families and evolving values are reshaping private wealth advice
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