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: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association
From first-generation student to trailblazing president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, John McElroy of Fieldfisher reflects on resilience, identity and the power of bringing your whole self to the law
Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field
Planning and environment team expands with partner hire in Manchester
Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce
Firm appoints chief operating officer to strengthen leadership team
NEWS
A wave of scandals has reignited debate over misconduct in public office, criticised as unclear and inconsistently applied. Writing in NLJ this week, Alice Lepeuple of WilmerHale says the offence’s ‘vagueness, overbreadth & inconsistent deployment’ have undermined confidence
FIFA’s 2026 Men's World Cup is already mired in controversy, with complaints over ‘excessive prices’ and opaque ticketing. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dr Ian Blackshaw of Valloni Attorneys warns that governing bodies may face scrutiny under EU competition law, with allegations of a ‘dominant—if not monopolistic—position’ in ticket sales
Ten years after Brexit, UK and EU trade mark regimes are drifting apart in practice if not principle. Writing in NLJ this week, Roger Lush and Lara Elder of Carpmaels & Ransford highlight tighter UK scrutiny after SkyKick, where overly broad filings may signal ‘bad faith’
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has underscored the sweeping reach of UK sanctions. In NLJ this week, Brónagh Adams and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper say the regime is a ‘blunt instrument’ requiring only a factual, not causal, link to restricted goods
Fraud claims are surging, with England and Wales increasingly the forum of choice for global disputes. Writing in NLJ this week, Jon Felce of Cooke, Young & Keidan reports claims have risen sharply, with fraud now a major share of litigation and costing billions worldwide
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