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Woes in court

20 September 2023
Issue: 8041 / Categories: In court , Profession
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The backlog of cases in the Crown Court has risen again, from 59,361 in July 2022 to 64,015 in July this year, according to the latest government figures, released last week

The number of cases outstanding in the magistrates’ courts also rose, from 336,861 in July 2022 to 353,406 in July this year.

Law Society President Lubna Shuja said the government’s target of reducing the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 ‘now looks like wishful thinking’.

Meanwhile, Preston Magistrates’ Court this week became the second court to close, after Harrow Crown Court, due to concerns about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Issue: 8041 / Categories: In court , Profession
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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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