THIS ISSUE
Double whammy in Family; Time to forfeit; Cannibalism at GRO; Probate Overridden; Low-value highs
Simon Farrell QC & Joe Edwards discuss fraud & corporate wrongdoing in the wake of a predicted economic crisis
David Emmerson reports on parental alienation & narcissism in relationship breakdown
An emergency measure has been introduced for the witnessing of wills, but Nicholas Bevan believes there’s been a missed opportunity
Legislation to introduce a geographical indications (GI) scheme for food and drink once the transition period ends on 1 January 2021, has been laid in Parliament
There could be 500,000 outstanding employment tribunal claims by spring, Citizens Advice has warned
Lawyers have until 16 November 2020 to submit their views on what issues the government should focus on when it forms the Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission
The volume of outstanding cases rocketed from 109,000 to more than 170,000 in the three months to the end of June 2020, during the pandemic, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) statistics have revealed
Training judges to actively promote mediation and appointing a dedicated minister for commercial disputes are among proposals to boost the UK’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry
The Law Society has said it does not believe there is a need for fundamental reform of judicial review, in its response to Lord Faulks’s independent review of administrative law (bit.ly/2HGUemT).
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
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
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
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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