THIS ISSUE
Family lawyer and NLJ columnist David Burrows works his way through a maze of legal aid provisions and considers the frequently misunderstood rule of contempt of court, in this week’s NLJ
Draft sentencing guidelines for selling or possessing counterfeit goods intended for sale have been published by the Sentencing Council
The easing of lockdown restrictions could unleash a wave of property-related litigation, Phil Sissons, of Falcon Court, writes in this week’s NLJ
Professor Chris Bones, chair of CILEx, makes the case for reforming professional regulation, in this week’s NLJ
It’s time for structural change to resolve bullying and harassment in the legal profession, consulting barrister Kevin Charles, of Crossland Employment Solicitors, writes in this week’s NLJ
Will the easing of lockdown restrictions also unleash a wave of property related litigation? Phil Sissons, Falcon Chambers
Jessica Clay & Lucy Williams, of Kingsley Napley, examine the potential for lasting legal services reform, in the light of Professor Mayson’s report
David Burrows navigates through a labyrinth of legal aid provisions & tackles the much misunderstood ‘contempt’
Ian Smith walks the line of three recent employment cases
Professor Chris Bones of CILEx explains why the legal profession should not stand in the way of regulatory change
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Kennedys—Milan Devani
Chief information officer appointment strengthens technology leadership
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Maguire Family Law—Hannah Barlow & Sophie Hughes
Firm strengthens Wilmslow team with two solicitor appointments
DWF—Ian Plumley
Londoninsurance and reinsurance practice announces partner appointment
NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
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’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
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