THIS ISSUE
Nicholas Dobson examines the vindication of two officers who took action against the Police Federation
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
AI has transformed the nature of cyber threats & also widened their audience: Jess Chan weighs up systems failures & erosion of trust
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explores the growing complexity of drug misuse in family proceedings and why a clearer understanding of the main drug groups is essential for legal professionals
English law assumes human arbitrators, but AI decision-makers may have a role to play, writes Daniel Kessler
Litigants may soon trade courtrooms for code, but is the law ready? Writing in NLJ this week, Daniel Kessler of 4 Stone Buildings explores whether artificial intelligence (AI) can act as an arbitrator, concluding that English law still assumes a human decision-maker
The controversial Mazur ruling, which caused widespread uncertainty about the role of non-solicitors in litigation work, has been overturned on appeal
Two landmark social media cases in the US could influence social media regulation in the UK, lawyers predict
Barristers have urged the government to set up Nightingale-style specialist courts, with jury trials, to prioritise rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse trials
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Church Court Chambers—Maryam Syed KC
Church Court Chambers welcomes Maryam Syed KC
Devonshires—Sean Garbutt
Devonshires strengthens construction team with appointment of partner Sean Garbutt
Thackray Williams—Alexandra Hubbard
Thackray Williams strengthens employment team with dual-qualified solicitor
NEWS
Judges and lawyers reviewing the rules of disclosure have ruled out a return to the old system of CPR Part 31, and will consult on proposals to simplify the Practice Direction (PD) 57AD regime by early next year
A consumer organisation has hit back at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for encouraging motor finance compensation claimants to steer clear of law firms and claims management companies
A fast, free and anonymous piece of software has been launched to help law practices comply with their regulatory duty to guard against an increasing onslaught of cyberattacks
A mood of cautious optimism has enveloped the criminal law sector following indications the prime minister may abandon planned jury reforms
The Court of Appeal has held user damages are recoverable in a competition claim, in Meta Platforms Inc and other companies v Gormsen [2026] EWCA Civ 993
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