THIS ISSUE
Probate delays cost money, cause distress & have collapsed house sales. Helen Stewart makes some suggestions
Nicholas Dobson surveys recent case law on the redaction of civil servants’ names
Nick Barnard considers a little-used opportunity for investigative agencies, which could soon come into fashion
Elizabeth Rimmer sets out some common barriers that prevent people from seeking help
While we await the Supreme Court judgment in Hirachand v Hirachand, Andrew Wilkinson analyses the case and its implications on inheritance—for lawyers, families and the third sector
Final fire & rehire code treads carefully through a legal & policy minefield, says Charles Pigott
A timely step in the right direction or a late arrival? Thomas Rudkin & Emily Costello share their verdict on the Online Safety Act
Neil Parpworth reviews the results of an investigation into police use of suspicionless stop & search
Remember the P&O fire and rehire scandal? A final draft of the statutory code on dismissal and re-engagement has now been laid before Parliament, Charles Pigott writes in this week’s NLJ
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal
Penningtons Manches Cooper strengthens international disputes team with appointment of leading arbitration partner
Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders
Shakespeare Martineau strengthens trust and estates disputes team with new appointments
Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore
Bellevue Law strengthens employment disputes and international advisory capability with senior associate appointment
NEWS
Developers in areas with poorly performing councils can apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate for permission under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
When does a solicitor’s retainer become a contentious business agreement? The Court of Appeal’s decision in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes shows that listing hourly rates alone will not do, leaving firms and clients uncertain about their rights over bills
MPs cannot simply resign their Commons seats. Instead, they take a nominal Crown office, usually the Chiltern Hundreds or Manor of Northstead, which disqualifies them from sitting
A divorced woman has secured funding to participate in her former husband’s inquest after the Legal Aid Agency reconsidered repeated refusals
The Thirlwall Inquiry has exposed a ‘complete failure’ to protect babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but its recommendations must now be put into practice
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