THIS ISSUE
Nick Vineall KC explores the difference pro bono can make to the community & barristers alike
Jeffrey Wale wonders about the future of open justice as the civil justice digitisation process rolls on
Simon Walton highlights disturbing bias inherent in AI case prediction tools
Jago Russell and Ross Ludlow explain the reasons behind the trend for de-banking
New pre-trial checklists; Intermediate track hearing fee; No fault possession; Help with Fees revamped
Caroline Field covers recent developments in the use of non-compete clauses to control ex-employees
Michael L Nash considers the role of the King as diplomat
Nick Wrightson asks searching questions about the nature of public inquiries
In his second article on anonymisation in family proceedings, David Burrows considers what, in law, does anonymisation mean?
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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