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The insider: 12 February 2021

10 February 2021 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 7920 / Categories: Opinion , Procedure & practice
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In his new column, NLJ columnist Dominic Regan shares his insights and predictions for litigators in and out of court

Our new Master of the Rolls is a formidable character. Some will remember him for his annihilation of media star personality Chris Evans (pictured) when defending an action brought against SMG Television (Evans v SMG Television and others [2003] EWHC 1423 (Ch)). As the judge (Lightman J) observed: ‘Mr Evans could be very difficult (plainly an understatement)’.

Agenda

What is on the agenda of Sir Geoffrey Vos QC? While I have never met the man, I have taken note of his views expressed when off the Bench.

  • He thinks that the courts should recognise the time has come to address judge-led mediation. The old authority of Halsey back in 2004 has been widely criticised. Alternative dispute resolution is a noble pursuit and should be embraced by the judiciary and litigants.
  • He has expressed disquiet about the relentless flow of decisions about the workings of Part 36, a measure implemented
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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
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
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
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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
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