Latest news
PI costs ruling could have “significant” impact on settled cases
A Court of Appeal ruling that the wording of a settlement of a personal injury claim supplanted fixed costs could have “significant” implications, including for cases that have already settled.
Law firm’s “extremely disquieting” failure to comply with court order
A High Court judge has described as “extremely disquieting” the failure of a North-West law firm to comply with a disclosure order – even though ultimately the order was unnecessary.
“No claim is unmanageable”: Court of Appeal reinstates huge group action
The Court of Appeal has reinstated a £5bn claim that a High Court judge struck out because it risked becoming “the largest white elephant in the history of group actions”.
Lord Chief Justice to take on overall responsibility for tribunals
The Lord Chief Justice is to take overall responsibility for the tribunals as well as the courts under the joint ‘One Judiciary’ initiative run by the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
Stop advising clients to pay cyber-ransoms, lawyers told
Some lawyers are wrongly advising clients to pay ransoms when they fall victim to cyber-attacks, the National Cyber Security Centre and Information Commissioner’s Office have warned.
Resolution embraces ‘one lawyer, one couple’ approach to divorce
Family lawyers group Resolution is to start promoting the ‘one lawyer, two clients’ model for divorce that both law firms and unregulated providers are starting to offer.
Government cools on manifesto pledge for criminal justice Royal Commission
The Ministry of Justice yesterday moved away from the Conservative Party’s manifesto commitment to launch a Royal Commission on the criminal justice system.
High Court: Ex-City solicitor failed to return $25m fund to Saudi princess
A former City solicitor was wrong not to return to a Saudi princess a $25m fund he had been managing for her over several years, the High Court has ruled.
Licensed conveyancer firms face tougher rules on diversity
Law firms regulated by Council for Licensed Conveyancers face new rules designed to make sure they deliver data on staff diversity and report complaints of discrimination and harassment.
High Court criticises SDT for “sweeping anonymity orders”
The High Court has criticised the SDT for taking it upon itself to issue “sweeping anonymity orders” in respect of all the third parties in a case about a solicitor’s social media posts.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
