header-logo header-logo

10 June 2016 / Jane Foulser McFarlane
Issue: 7702 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice
printer mail-detail

Virtual reality?

nlj_7702_mcfariane

Online infringement? No…it’s infringement online, says Jane Foulser McFarlane​

In December 2015, Lord Justice Briggs published his report: Civil Courts Structure Review: Interim Report. The report reviewed the structure by which, the civil courts provide the service for the resolution of civil disputes in England and Wales. The HMCTS Reform Programme, initiated in March 2015, was based on a rationale to fundamentally reform the administration of justice generally and, in the words of Lord Justice Briggs, to break the stranglehold of paper and to have, as far as possible, a paperless court and to reduce the number of court buildings. Further innovation was to include the allocation of the work currently being undertaken by the judiciary, to case officers.

The report asserts that a model of justice should be created, which is built upon the strong, independent and trusted justice brand, but which is accessible, proportionate and segmented, transparent and accountable, built around the needs of those who use it, financially viable and future proofed, being flexible enough to keep it relevant. The report

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Foot Anstey—Jasmine Olomolaiye

Foot Anstey—Jasmine Olomolaiye

Investigations and corporate crime expert joins as partner

Fieldfisher—Mark Shaw

Fieldfisher—Mark Shaw

Veteran funds specialist joins investment funds team

Taylor Wessing—Stephen Whitfield

Taylor Wessing—Stephen Whitfield

Firm enhances competition practice with London partner hire

NEWS
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Recent allegations surrounding Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have reignited scrutiny of the ancient common law offence of misconduct in public office. Writing in NLJ this week, Simon Parsons, teaching fellow at Bath Spa University, asks whether their conduct could clear a notoriously high legal hurdle
A Court of Appeal ruling has drawn a firm line under party autonomy in arbitration. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed, associate professor at the University of Leicester, analyses Gluck v Endzweig [2026] EWCA Civ 145, where a clause allowing arbitrators to amend an award ‘at any time’ was held incompatible with the Arbitration Act 1996
back-to-top-scroll