THIS ISSUE
Three out of four family justice professionals say their work-related pressures have increased since the first national lockdown, according to a Resolution survey
The Queen’s Bench Division has stated it will now only accept urgent interim applications if they are made electronically, due to restrictions in place on account of the COVID-19 pandemic
Law firms have worked with banking and finance industry body UK Finance to draw up a comprehensive list of sanctions and embargoes that will apply after the Brexit transition period ends
Planned legislation on secret agents and undercover officers creates a risk of state-sanctioned rape, murder and torture, MPs and Peers have warned
The backlog of 50,000 cases in the Crown court will take years to clear, the Lord Chief Justice has indicated
Firm hires litigator
PLA appoints new chair
The Supreme Court has clarified the meaning of ‘public interest’ in a case where a housing company built on land adjoining a children’s hospice, in breach of restrictive covenants
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal
Penningtons Manches Cooper strengthens international disputes team with appointment of leading arbitration partner
Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders
Shakespeare Martineau strengthens trust and estates disputes team with new appointments
Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore
Bellevue Law strengthens employment disputes and international advisory capability with senior associate appointment
NEWS
A divorced woman has secured funding to participate in her former husband’s inquest after the Legal Aid Agency reconsidered repeated refusals
The Thirlwall Inquiry has exposed a ‘complete failure’ to protect babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but its recommendations must now be put into practice
More than 500 former rugby players can pursue brain injury claims despite serious failures to disclose documents ordered by the High Court
When does a solicitor’s retainer become a contentious business agreement? The Court of Appeal’s decision in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes shows that listing hourly rates alone will not do, leaving firms and clients uncertain about their rights over bills
Developers in areas with poorly performing councils can apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate for permission under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
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