THIS ISSUE
Firm appoints new senior intellectual property lawyer
Kevin Charles explains why it’s time for structural change to resolve bullying & harassment issues in the legal profession
Romana Canneti reflects on and commends a judgment giving new life to freedom of expression
Neil Parpworth reports from a city back in lockdown, where the government’s response to the public health crisis is less draconian than it might have been
The Law Society and Bar Council have expressed alarm at news that China has passed a national security law applicable in Hong Kong
The Bar Council and Law Society have mounted a robust defence against the introduction of weekend and evening courts and restrictions on defendants’ right to jury trial
The Laly’s went virtual this week, with legal aid lawyers honoured at a dazzling online ceremony
The Access to Justice Foundation (ATJF) has launched a ‘Go the Extra Mile for Justice’ initiative to raise money for free legal advice centres
Magic Circle, global and City law firms have signed a pledge to implement data-driven measures to tackle the career obstacles that unfairly hold back black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) lawyers
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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