THIS ISSUE
Tim Seal questions the effectiveness of the statutory payment regime
The denial of Jimmy Lai’s right to be defended by a lawyer of his choice casts serious doubt on Hong Kong’s legal future, says Dr Ping-fat Sze
In the face of economic headwinds, how best can law firms chart a course for 2023? Seamus Hoar & Nick Carrad explain the benefits of looking back to plan ahead
Did Richard Beeching deserve the public vitriol he attracted for the closure of the railways? William Gibson examines the impact of the swingeing 1960s cuts
A case seeking to prove software developers owe a fiduciary duty to the owners of digital assets should go to trial, the Court of Appeal has held.
Lawyers have expressed dismay at a legislative change that reverses Ho v Adelekun on costs recovery under the qualified one-way costs shifting (QOCS) scheme, allowing the defendant to recover more costs from settlements as well as damages.
Prosecution fees are to be increased for barristers by 15%, Max Hill KC, director of public prosecutions (DPP) has confirmed.
The International Bar Association (IBA) has set up a permanent commission dedicated to improving the wellbeing of lawyers and legal professionals around the world.
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed a two-year delay to the introduction of fixed recoverable costs (FRC) in housing cases.
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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