THIS ISSUE
In this week’s NLJ, employment barrister Ian Smith investigates a trio of unusual cases, including on the issue of when a court can directly enforce a valid restraint of trade clause against an ex-employee, (and what about their need to earn a living?)
The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos is proposing a digitalisation project that ‘will change the whole nature of civil litigation’, barrister Stephen Shaw writes in this week’s NLJ
Laura Walliss, senior knowledge lawyer, and Rosie Todd, partner, Stevens & Bolton, tackle some of the myths, common perceptions and difficulties surrounding digital assets when it comes to estate planning and administration, in this week’s NLJ
Does the ever-expanding scope of domestic abuse law risk creating confusion & inconsistency in prosecution? Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh investigates
Quiet summer? Think again! Ian Smith ventures off the beaten track to explore the latest (& most unusual) cases
Linda Ford discusses the benefits of learning on the job & the fast-track routes for aspiring lawyers
The Master of the Rolls is pursuing an ambitious transformation of civil justice as we know it—and he deserves all the support he can get, says Stephen Shaw
Estate planning & administration: Laura Walliss & Rosie Todd examine the many difficulties posed by digital assets
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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