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09 January 2026 / Dominic Regan
Issue: 8144 / Categories: Opinion , Profession , Legal services , Costs , Damages
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The insider: 2 & 9 January 2026

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Dominic Regan kickstarts the new year with updates on leapfrog appeals, costs, delays & judicial manoeuvres

We know the appeal in Mazur is to be heard at the end of next month. The appellant, CILEX, is to be represented by Nick Bacon KC, together with another silk whom I understand will be versed in regulatory issues. They will lead two juniors.

What is as yet uncertain is who will be allowed to intervene. The Law Society is a certainty, as is the Bar Council. The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has a fine record of constructive interventions over the years and deserves to be heard. Some may only be permitted to make paper representations.

Given the ramifications, one would hope that both the Lady Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls would hear the appeal. It would be neat if they were to do so and be joined by Lord Justice Birss—the very bench that decided Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
What safeguards apply when trust corporations are appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection? 
Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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