THIS ISSUE
Discarded nitrous oxide (laughing gas) canisters are a familiar sight in towns and cities across the UK, but should the law on their use be changed?
The ‘failure to prevent’ fraud offence, now confirmed by the government, is big news for corporates.
Japanese knotweed is a plant on the rampage, scuppering property deals large and small and striking terror into the hearts of conveyancing professionals on a level akin to John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids.
Litigation funders have enjoyed a relatively easy regulatory ride so far, but are the good times coming to an end?
While nitrous oxide abuse is no joke, is criminalising the drug the right move? Dr Michael Harrison & Dr Olubunmi Onafuwa caution against a heavy-handed approach to the laughing gas problem
How can the civil law help victims of image-based sexual abuse? Zahra Awaiz-Bilal reports on a landmark decision of the High Court
With change finally on the horizon, Julia Petrenko & Ashpen Rajah outline the long overdue case for reforming the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954
The new ‘failure to prevent’ fraud criminal offence: Abigail Rushton & Rhys Novak set out the steps corporate bodies should be taking now to prepare
Is the current approach to delegated legislation undermining the constitutional balance between executive & legislature? Nick Wrightson discusses the need for greater oversight
David Walbank KC reports on anthropomorphism in court & the legal protections accorded to animals
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris
Sheffield expansion continues with appointment of commercial property partner
Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan
Browne Jacobson strengthens banking and finance practice with latest partner appointment Paul Duggan
Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott
Employment partner joins Ward Hadaway
NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners
Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.
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