THIS ISSUE
Ground rents get corny; That silky feeling; Distance law; Service charge dispute costs; Revised civil forms
The COVID-19 pandemic had a side-effect of making the justice system and litigation management more environmentally sound and sustainable. How can we maintain the gains post-pandemic?
Can Boris Johnson’s successor repair ‘the damage that has been done to the UK’s reputation in law’?
The judiciary and Ministry of Justice intend to make it easier for judges to move from one practice area to another, ‘removing barriers that prevent judges with appropriate authorisation from hearing different types of cases’
Divided opinions over fairness to students
Criminal barristers have entered their third week of strike action, downing tools from Monday to Thursday, and enduring uncomfortable temperatures to protest outside Birmingham, Preston and Plymouth Crown Courts and the Supreme Court in London
The Supreme Court handed down 56 judgments while the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council gave 34 judgments in 2021-22, according to their annual report and accounts, laid in Parliament this week
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has a temporary team in charge until at least 5 September, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to give way to a new leader of the Conservative Party
Former District Judge Stephen Gold casts a judge’s eye on remote observation and recording of cases
Not guilty by reason of insanity is one of the oldest principles of criminal law. In the 2022 case of R v Keal, the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) revisited the M’Naghten rules, which stem from 1843
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association
From first-generation student to trailblazing president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, John McElroy of Fieldfisher reflects on resilience, identity and the power of bringing your whole self to the law
Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field
Planning and environment team expands with partner hire in Manchester
Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce
Firm appoints chief operating officer to strengthen leadership team
NEWS
A wave of scandals has reignited debate over misconduct in public office, criticised as unclear and inconsistently applied. Writing in NLJ this week, Alice Lepeuple of WilmerHale says the offence’s ‘vagueness, overbreadth & inconsistent deployment’ have undermined confidence
FIFA’s 2026 Men's World Cup is already mired in controversy, with complaints over ‘excessive prices’ and opaque ticketing. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dr Ian Blackshaw of Valloni Attorneys warns that governing bodies may face scrutiny under EU competition law, with allegations of a ‘dominant—if not monopolistic—position’ in ticket sales
Ten years after Brexit, UK and EU trade mark regimes are drifting apart in practice if not principle. Writing in NLJ this week, Roger Lush and Lara Elder of Carpmaels & Ransford highlight tighter UK scrutiny after SkyKick, where overly broad filings may signal ‘bad faith’
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has underscored the sweeping reach of UK sanctions. In NLJ this week, Brónagh Adams and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper say the regime is a ‘blunt instrument’ requiring only a factual, not causal, link to restricted goods
Fraud claims are surging, with England and Wales increasingly the forum of choice for global disputes. Writing in NLJ this week, Jon Felce of Cooke, Young & Keidan reports claims have risen sharply, with fraud now a major share of litigation and costing billions worldwide
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