THIS ISSUE
The accepted view that a testamentary witness must be physically present is ‘misconceived’, solicitor Nicholas Bevan argues in this week’s NLJ
Five years on from its establishment, Mike Schwarz reflects on the Undercover Policing Inquiry
Neil Parpworth outlines how access to justice, through the function of the courts, must continue during the coronavirus pandemic
Watching Johnson v Starmer at the dispatch box is fascinating, says John Cooper QC
Sadie Whittam discusses civil litigation in the age of pandemic & beyond
Stacey Nevin reports on the nuances of a successful appeal for ‘relationship generated disadvantage’
Is it a misconception that a witness needs to be physically present at a will signing? Dr Nicholas Bevan reports
PD 51Z demonstrates the agility & adaptability demanded of us all during lockdown, say Julian Gun Cuninghame & Romana Canneti
PD 51Z: managing court capacity & protecting public health
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
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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