THIS ISSUE
The meaning of what exactly constitutes a ‘reserved legal activity’ is becoming increasingly hard to define, says John Gould
Common law under attack? Ian Smith reports on the latest cases from the Court of Appeal & a particularly busy spell for Lord Justice Bean & Lady Justice Simler
Covid rent; Damp pays; Heavy breathing; New court; Acting for both sides; Permission for absence
David Walbank QC examines a tragic case which underlines the polycentric decision-making process for offences involving young persons
It’s not all dodgy claims & disappointing descriptions: Dominic Regan outlines some reasons to be (cautiously) cheerful this summer
Roderick Ramage explains how George Coode’s tract On Legislative Expression enables reverse engineering to unlock the meaning of unclear legislation
Vaiben Lipman highlights the benefits of pro bono practice for boutique disputes firms
Collaboration, confidence, skills development and the chance to have a meaningful impact—pro bono has many benefits, says Joy-Emma Martin
What is a reserved legal activity? The answer, writes John Gould, senior partner, Russell-Cooke, in this week’s NLJ, is increasingly hard to define
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
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
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
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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