THIS ISSUE
Research into fast-track and multi-track civil claims has revealed a patchwork of bottlenecks and delays across England and Wales
Michael Nash pays tribute to the 70 years-and-counting reign of Queen Elizabeth II, in this week’s NLJ
NLJ this week: Leases, peppercorns, advice for judges on fact-finding & misplaced trust in relatives
In his Civil way column this week, former District Judge Stephen Gold notes guidance for judges faced with proceedings that may involve domestic abuse fact-finding
What does the future hold for driverless cars? Writing in this week’s NLJ, Lucie Clinch, covers the Law Commissions’ report on automated vehicles, including issues of responsibility, liability, safety and data retention
The 2022 Queen’s Speech ‘showcased two of the UK’s principal legislative (bad) habits’, Nick Wrightson, partner at Kingsley Napley, writes in this week’s NLJ. Skeleton bills and Henry VIII powers proliferate
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) protection against costs orders should continue, the Supreme Court has held
The disclosure guidelines have been changed to stop ‘invasive and disproportionate’ requests for victims’ private information during criminal investigations
An Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) for Ukraine has been set up by the EU, US and UK to help hold accountable those who commit war crimes during the Russian invasion
The Law Society has criticised the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA’s) proposals on health and wellbeing at work
Samuel Townend QC, of Keating Chambers, has been elected as next year’s Vice Chair of the Bar Council
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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