THIS ISSUE
The pandemic has been challenging for many junior litigators, so how can firms make sure they are providing the right support?
NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan looks into his crystal ball this week, predicting a timescale for fixed costs reforms as well as recounting an unfortunate disclosure by a judge
Without pilots, planes don’t fly. So discovered budget airline, Ryanair in 2018
Breaches of embargo on publication of the contents of a court judgment are ‘becoming more frequent’, the Court of Appeal has warned
Peers should consider whether the introduction of suspended or prospective-only quashing orders in judicial reviews correctly balance ‘providing courts with discretion and placing a presumption on how they should act’, the House of Lords Constitution Committee has said
Law firm gunnercooke has become the first major UK law firm to officially accept payment in cryptoassets such as Ethereum (Ether) and Bitcoin
Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill QC has vowed to do better on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO), following concerns about low numbers of convictions
The Court of Appeal has warned judges to ‘remain above the fray and neutral’ where cases involve litigants in person
The House of Lords Constitution Committee has launched an inquiry into the roles of the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers, exploring how they currently operate, how they have evolved since the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and whether any changes are necessary
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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