Latest news
London firm allows young lawyers to refuse to act for polluters
At least one London law firm is allowing its young lawyers to refuse to act for “big emitters” of pollution, it has emerged, as has the fierce debate behind the Law Society’s climate change resolution.
AI-powered bots could resolve simple disputes, says MR
Online bots powered by artificial intelligence will be one way simple disputes are resolved in the future, the Master of the Rolls predicted last week.
Court allows part of negligence claim against firm to go to trial
A law firm now part of consolidator Metamorph Law has been only partially successful in striking out a claim over how it advised a client on his clinical negligence case.
Lawyers the only winners in “nihilistic” divorce dispute, says judge
The lawyers are the only beneficiaries of a “nihilistic” divorce dispute that has cost £2.3m in legal fees, with the couple’s children the main losers, a High Court judge has ruled.
Firm’s insurer targets fraud exception to defeat £6m claim
Insurer Axis Specialty Europe is trying to exclude its liability for losses of nearly £6m suffered by a US property company due to a fraud perpetrated by a solicitor.
Barrister sanctioned for own fundamentally dishonest PI claim
A non-practising barrister who had his personal injury claim thrown out as fundamentally dishonest has been banned for returning to practice for nine months.
Judge bemoans public authorities’ “dispiriting” approach to costs
A judge has described as “dispiriting” how much money is spent by public authorities arguing about costs while not making sensible part 36 offers.
Newly qualified left in charge of firm rebuked over client account failures
A newly qualified solicitor left holding the fort when the sole principal she was working for was hospitalised, has been rebuked after apparent conveyancing frauds happened on her watch.
City firm reports itself to SRA over unauthorised court recordings
City firm Simmons & Simmons has apologised to the High Court and referred itself to the SRA after the court transcribers it used took unauthorised audio recordings of eight hearings.
“A step in the right direction” – legal leaders seek positives from Budget
Legal leaders hailed funding for the justice system announced in yesterday’s Budget as “a step in the right direction”, even though it will not even return the Crown Court backlog to pre-Covid levels.
Blog
Modern vehicles: new injury profiles and new legal challenges
As the number of electric vehicles on UK roads continues to grow year-on-year, it is important to address the risks that come with their increased adoption.
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.
