THIS ISSUE
Disputes do arise. Between states, in businesses, within different sectors and in small knit groups, disagreements can happen, and they can have many unwelcome consequences
Bryan Clark provides a backdrop to the current law & practice around compulsory mediation
Colin Campbell presents a two-part masterclass on the interpretation & implementation of the Jackson reforms a decade on from the publication of Sir Rupert’s Final Report
Dr James Behrens considers the pros & cons of evaluative mediation in resolving trust & estate disputes
On the 30th anniversary of the Children Act, David Burrows reflects on the state of children’s rights
Tips for taxi drivers; Same-sex partnerships arrive; Claim remission—or else; Quantum advice: ‘Don’t pay me’
Proposed video hearings are fraught with potential problems, the chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee has said
An independent profession & judiciary are by no means a given in many parts of the world, says David Greene
Enforcing contractual clauses to mediate, not litigate. Rob Langley, a mediator at North East Mediation Solutions, reports on how new rules are developing
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Birketts—trainee cohort
Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025
Keoghs—four appointments
Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Brabners—Ben Lamb
Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner
NEWS
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
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
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
Lawyers can no longer afford to ignore the metaverse, says Jacqueline Watts of Allin1 Advisory in this week's NLJ. Far from being a passing tech fad, virtual platforms like Roblox host thriving economies and social interactions, raising real legal issues
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
Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
