Litigation/Dispute Resolution
The new Mazur? ‘Solicitor agent’ does not have rights of audience
A so-called solicitor’s agent did not meet the Legal Services Act 2007 requirements for rights of audience, a district judge has ruled.
Fixed costs extension “has increased deductions from damages”
The continued push for fixed costs has resulted in more deductions from clients’ damages and raises questions about whether justice is being achieved.
Court of Appeal backs strike-out of £68m law firm negligence claim
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a challenge to the striking out of £68m negligence claim against Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett following a failed property development schemes.
FCA goes public with claims company investigation after court battle
The Financial Conduct Authority is investigating The Claims Protection Agency Ltd over its motor finance work, it has emerged after a High Court battle over anonymity.
Consumers want lawyers to help them with FCA car finance scheme
Most consumers will use a lawyer to navigate the FCA’s car finance redress scheme – and almost all will go to court for more compensation, according to research.
SRA urged not to ban ‘no win, no fee’ label
The Law Society has argued against banning use of the term ‘no win, no fee’ by solicitors, which would risk diverting consumers to unregulated firms.
WhatsApp messages form part of firm’s file – if they charge for them
A law firm’s file includes WhatApp messages and other forms of digital communication where it then seeks to charge for them, a costs judge has ruled.
Supreme Court overturns decision that class action should be opt-out
The Supreme Court has reinstated a decision that £2.7bn collective proceedings should be on an opt-in, rather than opt-out, basis.
Complex court processes “shut out litigants in person”
Complex court administrative processes “increasingly function as gatekeepers to justice” and shut out litigants in person, research has found.
Opt-out class action first for businesses as car delivery case settles
Businesses are to benefit from an opt-out class action for the first time after the last two defendants in the car delivery charges case settled for £54m.
Blog
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
Expectations keep rising, so prioritise client experience
Law firms are facing growing pressure to place greater focus on client experience or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive legal market.
