Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Judges slams class action firm for bringing claim without authorisation
Class action law firm Pogust Goodhead has been ordered to make a £900,000 interim costs payment after a judge found it did not have authority to bring proceedings started in 2020.
Judge refers solicitors to SRA for fake AI-generated cases
A circuit judge has referred two solicitors to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for submitting hallucinated cases to the court.
“Significant new evidence” in employment judge misconduct case
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office has agreed to reinvestigate allegations of bullying and intimidation against Employment Judge Philip Lancaster, in light of “significant new evidence”.
Indemnity costs ordered over threat to report solicitors to SRA
A company has been ordered to pay indemnity costs because of its solicitors’ misuse of criminal contempt proceedings and threats to report their opposition to the SRA.
King’s Speech: No litigation funding, SLAPPs or AML reform
The King’s Speech yesterday was notable as much for what was not in it as what was, with significant omissions including the promised litigation funding bill.
CA overturns referral of KC for contempt hearing over closing speech
The Court of Appeal has set aside a Crown Court judge’s referral of a KC for contempt of court proceedings after finding the High Court did not have the jurisdiction to pursue them.
Barrister denies raping client’s daughter in chambers
A barrister has denied raping the vulnerable daughter of one of his clients, who demanded £100,000 from him as an out-of-court settlement.
FCA warns legal challenges could scupper any motor finance scheme
If the various legal challenges to current motor finance compensation scheme succeed, there might be no scheme at all, the Financial Conduct Authority has warned.
CAT approves £1.7bn Microsoft action despite funder “uncertainty”
The CAT has approved a £1.7bn opt-out collective action against Microsoft despite admitting that “a degree of uncertainty” surrounded its funder.
‘Freeman of the land’ theories “offensive to the rule of law”
A High Court judge has condemned ‘Freeman of the land’ theories used by litigants in person to try and get themselves out of legal difficulties as “offensive to the rule of law”.
Blog
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
