THIS ISSUE
Professor Graham Zellick KC reflects on his years in the judicial foothills
Cannan fire; easing in rental reform; the no-fix ‘fix’; upstairs practice; making ‘em up.
Judging is ‘more intellectually demanding than any other role in public life’—and far messier than outsiders imagine. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC reflects on decades spent wrestling with unclear legislation, fragile precedent and human fallibility
The billable hour rewarded time over talent & sacrifice over sustainability. Good riddance, says Ian McDougall
The long-predicted death of the billable hour may finally be here—and this time, it’s armed with a scythe. In a sweeping critique of time-based billing, Ian McDougall, president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, argues in this week's NLJ that artificial intelligence has made hourly charging ‘intellectually, commercially and ethically indefensible’
From fake authorities to rent reform, the civil courts have had a busy start to 2026. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold surveys a procedural landscape where guidance, discretion and discipline are all under strain
Gary Pons, Sarah Wood & Barnaby Hone consider the approach to cryptoassets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
Victoria Rylatt & Robyn Laye report on recent issues that have arisen in fact-finding hearings
Janet Carter sets out how to retain ‘judgment by peers’ for all trials with a new plan
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown
Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown
Venus Legal—Esther Amoako
Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows
Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith
Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith
NEWS
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
Artificial intelligence does not demand a wholesale rewrite of liability law, argues an article challenging claims that new technology has created an accountability gap
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
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