THIS ISSUE
Lucy James explains how freezing orders can throw a spanner in the works in divorce proceedings
John Gould delves into arguments on jury reform, funding and public confidence in the justice system
Three convictions overturned, all without compensation—Dr Jon Robins sets out the alarming failings that are ruining lives
Deborah Ruff, Julia Belcher & Charles H Golsong analyse the key changes in the revised Chinese Arbitration Law
Proposals to reduce jury trials risk trading justice for speed in an overstretched system. Writing in NLJ this week, John Gould of Russell-Cooke LLP examines Sir Brian Leveson’s review, which suggests fewer jury trials, more judge-led hearings and limits for less serious offences
A ‘parallel justice system’ is developing due to the increased use of Out of Court Resolutions (OOCRs), magistrates have warned
The government’s plan to cut jury trials could ‘cause more delays than it could ever serve to reduce’, veteran silk Geoffrey Robertson KC has warned
Artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to generate faster and cheaper transcripts of criminal court proceedings, ministers have announced
Solicitors practising litigation have been issued with a Law Society practice note following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Mazur
Sir Andrew McFarlane has retired from the judiciary, following nearly eight years as president of the Family Division and president of the Court of Protection
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ Career Profile: Jasmine Olomolaiye, Foot Anstey
Jasmine Olomolaiye, partner at national law firm Foot Anstey, discusses the power of reading and the dizzying heights of her dream career
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Freeths—Christopher Stephens
Strategic land specialist joins real estate practice as partner
Shakespeare Martineau—Jonathan Pawlowski
Construction practice strengthened by partner hire in London
NEWS
Freezing orders in divorce proceedings can unexpectedly ensnare third parties and disrupt businesses. In NLJ this week, Lucy James of Trowers & Hamlins explains how these orders—dubbed a ‘nuclear weapon’—preserve assets but can extend far beyond spouses to companies and business partners
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified that ‘rent’ must be monetary—excluding tenants paid in labour from statutory protection. In this week's NLJ, James Naylor explains Garraway v Phillips, where a tenant worked two days a week instead of paying rent
Three men wrongly imprisoned for a combined 77 years have been released—yet received ‘not a penny’ in compensation, exposing deep flaws in the justice system. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Jon Robins reports on Justin Plummer, Oliver Campbell and Peter Sullivan, whose convictions collapsed amid discredited forensics, ‘oppressive’ police interviews and unreliable ‘cell confessions’
A quiet month for employment cases still delivers key legal clarifications. In his latest Employment Law Brief for NLJ, Ian Smith reports that whistleblowing protection remains intact even where disclosures are partly self-serving, provided the worker reasonably believes they serve the ‘public interest’
Family law must shift from conflict-driven litigation to child-centred problem-solving, according to a major new report. Writing in NLJ this week, Caroline Bowden of Anthony Gold outlines findings showing overwhelming support for reform, with 92% agreeing lawyers owe duties to children as well as clients
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