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
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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