THIS ISSUE
In a tribute to John Le Carré, Athelstane Aamodt reflects on the operation & enforcement of official secrets laws
The approach to regulation of professional conduct outside of practice stands on a firmer footing post the Ryan Beckwith case
NLJ columnist Stephen Gold has marriage on his mind, in this week’s ‘Civil Way’ column
David Locke discusses preserving Gillick competence in the light of cases of gender dysphoria
Michael Zander on whether there was parliamentary scrutiny worthy of the name
Ian Smith takes a leap into the new year reporting on two important statements of principle & an adventurous challenge
Simon Parsons reflects on the UK Internal Market Bill & attempts to exclude judicial review for errors of law
Dominic Regan highlights the positives in civil litigation from a grim 2020
Hands off companies; Hands off stock; Hands off house; Feet up for divorce
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
Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
