Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Toning down the theatrics: Barristers “less aggressive” in remote hearings
A significant number of expert witnesses who have been appeared in court remotely over the past 18 months say barristers have been “less aggressive” in their cross-examination.
Civil justice system “in desperate need of modernisation”
The civil justice system and some areas of the law in England and Wales are “in desperate need of modernisation”, a report by the Social Market Foundation has found.
Solicitor and legal regulator heads latest class action
A solicitor and chief executive of one of the legal profession’s regulators is leading the latest opt-out collective action, which is being brought against price comparison website ComparetheMarket.
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.
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.
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.
LiP who said he could not hear solicitor succeeds in judicial review
An elderly litigant in person who said he could not hear a local authority solicitor at a hearing relating to unpaid council tax has succeeded in his judicial review of the decision.
Senior judge questions effectiveness of costs sanctions
The deputy head of civil justice has questioned the use of costs sanctions as a way to control litigation behaviour and hinted he would like to see the costs rules simplified.
Burford puts $100m aside to fund litigation run by diverse lawyers
Litigation funder Burford Capital has expanded its initiative to increase diversity in the law by committing $100m (£73m) of dedicated funding to cases led by female or ‘racially diverse’ lawyers.
Blog
The trade-off mid-sized firm partners think they’re making
Most of the partners I talk to describe the same tension. They want the firm to run efficiently and hit its numbers, but they also want their people to feel supported, developed and fairly treated.
Communication as the core of client care in conveyancing
How a conveyancer approaches client care – particularly in relation to communication – can be the greatest differentiator for the success of a conveyancing firm.
Why brilliant lawyers sometimes fail
A question that often strikes a chord with partners in law firms is this: why is it that individuals who excel in one role sometimes struggle when promoted into another?
Reports
Associates
