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
Orwins—Maryam Abbasi
Senior associate joins family law team in London
Tees Law—Stephen Williams
Firm appoints chief financial officer as it expands Essex office footprint
Winckworth Sherwood—David Fendt
Restructuring and insolvency practice strengthened by partner hire
NEWS
Some employment law controversies never disappear—they merely lie dormant
A landmark ruling has delivered the first judicial application of the UK’s anti-SLAPP regime and provided fresh guidance on abusive litigation
Pastries may be in the firing line while kebabs escape scrutiny, but the reality is far more nuanced
The fallout from Lord Mandelson’s appointment and dismissal as UK ambassador to Washington raises profound questions about constitutional governance, accountability and political appointments
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice, but its successful adoption depends as much on culture as technology
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