Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Lack of sanction for costs draftsman shows “hole in regulation”
A judge’s comments on the lack of recourse against an unregulated costs draftsman should focus minds on this hole in legal regulation, the Association of Costs Lawyers has argued.
Round one in dieselgate litigation goes to claimants
The first round of the diesel emissions litigation went to the claimants yesterday, with the High Court rejecting Mercedes’ bid to bind the court to decisions made by the German car regulator.
FCA urges Supreme Court to act quickly over car finance mis-selling
The Financial Conduct Authority is to ask the Supreme Court to make a quick decision on whether it will hear the appeal against the recent decision on car finance mis-selling.
Solicitor “created hundreds of file notes” to bolster costs claim
A judge has condemned a solicitor for “the worst example of tampering with a file of papers that I have ever encountered” in reducing a bill claimed at nearly £260,000 to zero.
Law firm directors did not breach duties in setting up competitor
The Court of Appeal has refused to overturn a ruling that two former directors of a law firm were not in breach of their duties by taking preparatory steps to set up a competitor.
Top IP law firm settles claim alleging years of overcharging
The claim that IP law firm Marks & Clerk overcharged thousands of small businesses by operating a ‘secret commissions’ scheme has been settled with payments but no admission of liability.
Lawyers’ “serious failings” topped by Court of Appeal errors
The “serious failings” of a claimant’s lawyers in appealing a decision were rendered irrelevant by mistakes in the Court of Appeal office, the court has admitted.
From regulation to SSB Law – CJC publishes litigation funding report
The Civil Justice Council’s litigation funding working group published its interim report yesterday, taking on issues ranging from regulation of third-party funders to the collapse of SSB Law.
Costs penalty for City firm over approach to “forged” report
Leading City litigation firm Quinn Emanuel has been penalised in costs for not engaging with allegations that a key document it had produced for a case was a forgery.
Court of Appeal ruling sparks panic over motor finance claim deluge
The motor finance market has reacted with alarm to last week’s Court of Appeal ruling that lenders failed to clearly disclose commissions paid to car dealers.
Blog
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
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.
