THIS ISSUE
Fixed costs, forced ADR, and animal exploitation jostle for space with legal superstars, good deeds, and a whiff of hope in this month’s update by Dominic Regan
The headlines from the Covid inquiry are writing themselves, so revelatory is the evidence. It seems, however, that there is a never-ending stream of public inquiries, each one lasting an age
The latest word on fixed recoverable costs plus a (potentially seismic) prediction for Christmas feature in NLJ’s The Insider column this week by Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School
In this week’s Civil way, NLJ columnist & former District Judge Stephen Gold relays the good news that the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is up and running along with guidance notes and the government’s checklist for renting in England
In this week’s NLJ, Jago Russell, partner, Boutique Law, and Ross Ludlow, pupil barrister, Drystone Chambers, explain the reasons behind the trend for de-banking in the UK. While the Nigel Farage debacle captured the headlines, ‘being de-banked is surprisingly common’, the authors write
As lawyers prepare for Pro Bono Week (6-10 November), Bar Chair Nick Vineall KC offers his own personal take on the difference pro bono can make, in this week’s NLJ. Both lawyer and client benefit from the experience. Vineall recalls his first ever cross-examination, conducted pro bono for a client referred via the Free Representation Unit
Solicitors have highlighted issues in the otherwise broadly welcomed Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
The Law Society asked solicitors last week to share their experience of delivering unbundled services—splitting services into tasks, some carried out by solicitors and the rest completed by clients
MPs have launched an inquiry into the work of the county court, amid long-standing concerns over court capacity and resources
Fees for barristers in cases involving pre-recorded cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses (s 28 cases) are to increase
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group
From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career
Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore
Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton
Ellisons—Robert Tiffen
Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office
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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