THIS ISSUE
MPs have launched an inquiry into access to justice, including the potential for an ‘access to justice fund levy’
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has proposed ‘unnecessary’ reforms to complaints-handling that would duplicate work already covered by the Legal Ombudsman, the Law Society has warned
In-house legal teams want more defined career pathways and professional support, according to a report by Flex Legal and Barbri
Texas-style courts offering tough justice are to be rolled out across England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice announced this week
Former chair of CILEX Professor Christopher Bones has been appointed chair of the Bar Standards Board, replacing Kathryn Stone
The Supreme Court has quashed the Libor and Euribor convictions of bankers Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo, on the basis the jury was misdirected
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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