Litigation/Dispute Resolution
LeO not set up to handle solicitor/client costs disputes – for now
The Legal Ombudsman is open to a discussion on it replacing the courts for costs disputes between solicitors and their clients – but would not be in a position to actually do it for some time.
Solicitor took money in “fraudulent breach of trust”
A solicitor has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds after the High Court made findings of fraud and fraudulent breach of trust against him.
County court delays continue to fall, figures show
Delays in the county courts continue to fall – and sharply, according to the latest official figures from the Ministry of Justice.
Judge condemns National Lottery bidder’s “extraordinary” litigation conduct
The High Court has awarded indemnity costs over a failed £1bn challenge to the award of the National Lottery so as to mark its disapproval of the claimants’ “extraordinary” litigation conduct.
Farewell to the Chancery Division in High Court shake-up
The Lady Chief Justice has unveiled a modernisation of the High Court which will see a new Business and Property Division replace the Chancery Division.
Pogust loses first round of £3m costs battle with ‘subcontractor’ law firm
A judge has partially struck out a defence lodged by class action specialist Pogust Goodhead in a battle over £3.1m in fees which litigation boutique Seladore Legal says it is owed.
Law firm failed to validly serve £82m claim
London law firm Forsters failed to validly serve a claim form for a claim valued at around £82m, the High Court has ruled.
Solicitor fabricated disclosure letter “to save job”
A solicitor who fabricated and backdated a disclosure letter to make it appear that he had complied with a court deadline has been struck off.
SRA set to issue Mazur guidance – but onus is on solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to publish guidance on the implications on the Mazur ruling very shortly, it has told MPs.
Junior solicitor used AI to draft misleading letters to court
A junior solicitor who used AI to draft two misleading emails to the High Court “seems to have almost entirely outsourced the thinking process”, the judge has said.
Blog
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
The Decent Homes Standard scandal
It is well established that the UK has the highest proportion of inadequate housing in all of Europe. But what if the heart of the problem is even worse than we think?
