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
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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