Litigation/Dispute Resolution
High Court judge criticises litigators’ unwillingness to co-operate
A High Court judge has criticised “the instinct of litigators to object to anything proposed by the other side” when it would be better just to say ‘yes’.
Judge rebukes HMRC for “extraordinary allegation” against law firm
A judge has condemned HM Revenue & Customs for making the “extraordinary allegation” that a law firm would engage in abusive behaviour over listing a hearing.
Judge 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.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
Reports
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