THIS ISSUE
Lord Burnett, the Lord Chief Justice, has suggested smaller juries could be used for ‘some of the low-grade cases that go to the Crown Court’ as a temporary measure to reduce the backlog of cases, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph
Facial recognition technology poses a risk to people’s privacy, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham has warned in a Commissioner’s Opinion
Half of costs lawyers are busier than ever, a survey has found―with former clients suing their solicitors a fast-growing area of practice
Lawyers have welcomed a government action plan on rape prosecution but warned it would only work if the criminal justice system was given more resources
Solicitors have warned EU citizens, including vulnerable children and care leavers, will be stripped of essential rights next week unless they take urgent action
A parliamentary committee has slammed government plans to curb non-violent protest as inconsistent with basic human rights
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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