Litigation/Dispute Resolution
City giant seeks to shift blame for errors that cost client £83m
City giant A&O Shearman can make the argument that others were to blame for a mistake that has so far cost its client Nationwide £83m, the High Court has ruled.
High Court criticises City firm for breaching judgment embargo
A well-known City law firm has been heavily criticised by the High Court for distributing a confidential embargoed draft judgment to journalists before it was handed down.
HMCTS: Some progress likely on “unacceptable” court backlogs
HM Courts and Tribunal Service expects to make “reasonable progress despite the challenges” in cutting court backlogs, its operations director said yesterday.
Court dismisses negligence claim against law firm over causation
A negligence claim against a well-known London law firm over erroneous information it gave to a client’s mortgage lender has been dismissed on the basis of causation.
Arbitration specialists split on faster procedures but see role for AI
The arbitration community is split down the middle on early determination and expedited procedures, but expects AI to play more of a role in its work, a major global survey has found.
Law firm boss “misled court” in effort to push through prepack sale
A judge has strongly criticised the boss of a consumer claims law firm for giving false evidence and trying to force through a prepack administration sale in favour of his own newly incorporated firm.
CJC calls for “single digital court” to enforce judgments
The Civil Justice Council has called for a “single unified digital court” to enforce civil judgments, whether the judgment was obtained in the county court or High Court.
Solicitor who secured release of client’s money then breached rules
A solicitor who successfully released money frozen in a client’s bank account then broke the accounts rules by having it transferred into her firm’s client account.
Funder can be paid before CAT class members, appeal court rules
There is “nothing surprising or unusual” about the CAT ordering payment to litigation funders and lawyers from a damages award ahead of the class in collective actions.
Poor conduct of consumer claims “will see more firms collapse”
At least 15 consumer claims law firms have gone bust in the last five years owing more than £400m and poor practices in the sector will likely lead to more, a leading insurer has predicted.
Blog
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
The power of participation for trainees and apprentices
It’s important as a trainee or an apprentice to get involved in the life of your firm – even under the pressure of discovering how to navigate professional life and now the demands of the SQE.
