THIS ISSUE
The Health Secretary unlawfully failed to consider the position of residents of care homes who were becoming infected with COVID-19 following the discharge of thousands of patients from NHS hospitals, the High Court held in a devastating ruling, R (Gardner & Anor) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2022] EWHC 967 (Admin)
Veronica Cowan discusses the benefits of driving digital conveyancing in house buying & selling
Questions have been raised over what the Health Secretary knew and when following the High Court’s decision that thousands of elderly patients were unlawfully discharged into care homes without being tested for COVID-19
Two former prime ministers and other high-profile figures are calling for the creation of an international tribunal modelled on the post-World War II Nuremberg tribunal
Qualified barristers and solicitors in the early stages of their careers can now apply for the 2022/23 Judicial Assistants scheme, which provides an invaluable ringside view of the trial process from the perspective of the judge
A £25m fraud squad, to be known as the Public Sector Fraud Authority, will be up and running by July, the Treasury has announced
Temple Church is offering four choral scholarships for young female singers, soprano or contralto, as part of its equality and diversity activity
Law firm Stephenson Harwood is offering its employees the option of working from home full-time on lower salaries
The government has won a High Court challenge to its increasing use of WhatsApp and other messaging services where records can be permanently deleted
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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