Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Whiplash tariff to rise on 31 May but fixed costs review delayed
The 15% uplift in the fixed fees for whiplash cases will take effect from 31 May, the fourth anniversary of the Official Injury Claim portal, justice minister Sarah Sackman has announced.
MR: “Very disappointing” end to court modernisation programme
The court modernisation project ends this month with the “very disappointing” outcome of only 23% of civil cases being digital end to end, the Master of the Rolls told MPs this week.
KC removed from panel hearing challenge to Scottish Bar rules
A Scottish silk has been removed from a Competition Appeal Tribunal panel set to hear a challenge to the rules of the Faculty of Advocates, the Scottish Bar.
Top family firm “would be prejudiced” by split trial in negligence claim
Top family law firm Payne Hicks Beach would be prejudiced by a split trial in the negligence action brought by the woman who secured the UK’s largest ever divorce award, the High Court has ruled.
Court allows City giant to progress ex-client’s claim on assignment
A major City law firm can continue bringing a case it took on assignment from former clients which could mitigate a possible professional negligence claim.
Litigation funders continue to pour money into market
Money continues to pour into the litigation finance market, with one expecting to treble its investment to £250m in the next two years and another set to launch a $75m fund.
Lawyer groups back stronger regulation of litigation funding
The Law Society, Bar Council, CILEX and the Association of Costs Lawyers have become the latest to call for stronger oversight of third-party litigation funding.
Costs judge allows £700 an hour in biggest departure from guidelines
A costs judge has allowed a leading US law firm to recover partner costs at £700 per hour, said to be the largest ever departure from the guideline hourly rates.
Thousands of privileged documents disclosed in “unprecedented” error
An “extraordinary” and “unprecedented” failure of disclosure that has seen thousands of privileged documents released to the other side has been revealed in the High Court.
Judge throws out skeleton argument for being three times too long
The High Court has refused to admit a skeleton argument that was three times the length it should have been, and ranged beyond the confines of what it should have done.
Blog
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
Digital marketing for law firms in 2026 – where to focus your efforts
Digital marketing for law firms in 2026 is more demanding than ever. AI is reshaping content, while audiences are becoming more selective and platforms are raising the bar on quality.
