Issue: Vol 173, Issue 8008

Ministers have launched a consultation relating to the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments—a key issue for lawyers since Brexit.

In-house counsel predict an increase in disputes, debt recovery work and fraud in the year ahead due to the economic downturn, according to a study by legal network Winmark Global.

The Sentencing Council has published research into the impact of sentencing guidelines across different demographic groups in robbery, theft and harassment and stalking cases.

The Home Office is consulting on extending the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) investigative powers to staff at five organisations―the Security Industry Authority, Food Standards Agency, Environment Agency, Public Sector Fraud Authority and Department for Work and Pensions. 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) plans to recruit up to 1,100 judges and tribunal members and 4,000 more magistrates in 2022-23, according to its annual report and accounts for 2021-22.

Electronic trade, hate crime and automated vehicles are among the subjects of eight major reports published by the Law Commission in the past 12 months, according to its Annual Report 2021-22. 

The extended fixed recoverable costs (FRC) regime will be implemented in October 2023, under current government plans.