THIS ISSUE
CPS non-compliance results in dismissed cases, write Nick Brett & Vicky Lankester. But is change on the way?
A port, a masterclass in gaslighting, & identifying assets acquired post-separation: Emma Brunning & Dharshica Thanarajasingham present TF v SF
David Bailey-Vella breaks down the costs budgeting light pilot
Writing in NLJ this week, Nick Brett and Vicky Lankester of Brett Wilson dissect the chronic failures of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in meeting disclosure obligations. From the Post Office scandal to the collapsed trial of Liam Allan, they highlight how systemic neglect has led to wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice
An MP charged with sexual assault successfully applied to withhold his home address from open court in R v Spencer [2025] Lexis Citation 2032. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth of Leicester De Montfort Law School examines the ruling and its implications for the open justice principle
Despite talking the talk on the rule of law, the government must also walk the walk if it is to confront threats both nationally & internationally, writes Simon Parsons
The current ‘postcode lottery’ of support for more than half a million disabled children in England could be replaced with clearer rights and national eligibility criteria, under Law Commission proposals
Face-scanning artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance tech is to be used to remotely monitor offenders, under a Home Office pilot
Proposed tax adviser legislation is so broad it would cover ‘conveyancers filling out stamp duty land tax returns’, Law Society president Richard Atkinson has warned
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ Career Profile: Anne-Marie Ottaway, HFW
Anne-Marie Ottaway, partner at HFW, discusses her varied career, including 13 years at the Serious Fraud Office, and making the leap to private practice
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Carey Olsen—Arindam Madhuryya
Corporate and investment funds lawyer promoted to partner in Jersey
Jackson Lees—Jennifer Carr
Private family team announces appointment of senior associate
NEWS
The government’s landmark Employment Rights Act 2025 met its pre-Christmas deadline, ushering in sweeping changes to the law
Barristers and advocates in Scotland, England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have urged the government to drop its proposals for judge-only ‘swift courts’ in cases where the sentence is three years or less
The practice guidance on non-molestation orders has been updated and replaced, and guidance issued on protective injunctions
Criminal silk Kirsty Brimelow KC, of Doughty Street Chambers, has taken over the reins at the Bar Council, succeeding family silk Barbara Mills KC
Lawyers have welcomed the government’s long-awaited announcement of legislation to reverse PACCAR but warned plans for light-touch regulation could cause delays
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