THIS ISSUE
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
The Johnson v FirstRand Bank case on ‘secret’ commissions for motor finance is causing quite a stir, but should it have been brought at all? In this week’s NLJ, Fred Philpott, Gough Square Chambers, writes: ‘The whole premise of the case is false; there were no real “commissions”, let alone fiduciary relationships.’
Iris Karaman & Kate Chan discuss the practical impact of the EU’s proposed ‘Omnibus’ package
The complexities of costs proceedings can be a minefield for litigants in person. But the courts expect compliance with the rules, writes Julian Caddick
Imprisoning mothers has a devastating impact on more than the incarcerated. In this week’s NLJ, Rona Epstein explains the long-term effects on the mother’s children and urges the government to reconsider sentencing laws.
The Supreme Court case on motor finance commissions is based upon a simple economic falsity, argues Fred Philpott
Much favoured in finance contracts, asymmetric clauses have been confirmed as valid under EU law: Richard Marshall & Harriet Campbell consider the impact for contracting parties
As he takes the reins at the Association of Costs Lawyers, new chair David Bailey-Vella reflects on imposter syndrome, breaking down barriers & surprisingly unrelaxing hobbies
Tricia Hemans & Daniel Black consider common law nuisance & an interesting High Court decision on noise from a nursery
A recent case illustrates the financial risks facing litigants in person (LiPs) who fail to comply with the correct procedure on costs. Julian Caddick, council member of the Association of Costs Lawyers and a partner and head of costs at Thompsons Solicitors, explains the case in this week’s NLJ, and offers key takeaways for practitioners who find themselves opposite a LiP.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Keystone Law—Milena Szuniewicz-Wenzel & Ian Hopkinson
International arbitration team strengthened by double partner hire
Coodes Solicitors—Pam Johns, Rachel Pearce & Bradley Kaine
Firm celebrates trio holding senior regional law society and junior lawyers division roles
Michelman Robinson—Sukhi Kaler
Partner joins commercial and business litigation team in London
NEWS
The Legal Action Group (LAG)—the UK charity dedicated to advancing access to justice—has unveiled its calendar of training courses, seminars and conferences designed to support lawyers, advisers and other legal professionals in tackling key areas of public interest law
Refusing ADR is risky—but not always fatal. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed and Sanjay Dave Singh of the University of Leicester analyse Assensus Ltd v Wirsol Energy Ltd: despite repeated invitations to mediate, the defendant stood firm, made a £100,000 Part 36 offer and was ultimately ‘wholly vindicated’ at trial
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 transformed criminal justice. Writing in NLJ this week, Ed Cape of UWE and Matthew Hardcastle and Sandra Paul of Kingsley Napley trace its ‘seismic impact’
Operational resilience is no longer optional. Writing in NLJ this week, Emma Radmore and Michael Lewis of Womble Bond Dickinson explain how UK regulators expect firms to identify ‘important business services’ that could cause ‘intolerable levels of harm’ if disrupted
As the drip-feed of Epstein disclosures fuels ‘collateral damage’, the rush to cry misconduct in public office may be premature. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke of Hill Dickinson warns that the offence is no catch-all for political embarrassment. It demands a ‘grave departure’ from proper standards, an ‘abuse of the public’s trust’ and conduct ‘sufficiently serious to warrant criminal punishment’
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