THIS ISSUE
Who will be the next Lord Chief Justice? Place your bets but be sure to read Professor Dominic Regan’s tips first, in this week’s NLJ
Former District Judge Stephen Gold covers publicans untied, divorce costs and financial remedy pilots in this week’s Civil Way
Solicitors have raised questions about the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) plans to help consumers compare the market on fees, pricing models and costs
Criminal defence solicitors have been issued with guidance as their colleagues at the Bar began a ‘no returns’ policy this week
The Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) could be granted a 12-month reprieve, following a robust response to a consultation on its future
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has made ‘swift access to justice’ one of its key goals, in its Digital Strategy for 2022 to 2025
The Court of Appeal has fired off a second warning to counsel about lack of discretion, this time in a matter concerning a former MP who sought anonymity for domestic abuse allegations
Criminal barristers have ploughed ahead with protest action, after the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refused to increase fees and hourly rates by 25%
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
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
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
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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
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