Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Costs lawyers call for guidelines rates and judiciary recognition
Costs lawyers have become a fundamental part of litigation teams and this needs to be recognised in the guideline hourly rates and with the ability to apply for judicial appointment.
Judges slash “absurd” £343m budget for first part of diesel cars claim
The High Court has refused to sanction the “absurd” and “staggering” £343m in costs put forward by the claimants for just the first third of the diesel emissions group litigation.
Counsel should not have attacked solicitor’s integrity, says judge
A High Court judge has criticised an attack on the professional integrity of a solicitor to an ex-Newcastle United footballer made during the player’s legal action against his former agent.
Firm’s £3m of invoices face assessment after losing ‘statute bill’ fight
National law firm Weightmans is to have nearly 50 invoices totalling £3m subjected to a detailed assessment after failing to convince a judge they were interim statute bills.
Judge rejects defendant’s request to pay law firm’s £2m costs
A High Court judge has refused a request from a defendant in the London Capital & Finance fraud case to use the proceeds of sale of his home to pay his solicitors over £2m.
High Court allows McKenzie Friend to exercise rights of audience
A High Court judge has allowed a McKenzie Friend to exercise rights of audience in supporting a defendant facing an order that could lead to a jail sentence for contempt being activated.
Fee-earner found in contempt over documents taken from law firm
A fee-earner who has not complied with a court order to return documents taken from his former law firm has been handed a four-month suspended jail sentence for contempt.
Law firm fails to strike out former partner’s unfair prejudice petition
Well-known London litigation firm Candey has failed in a bid to strike out an unfair prejudice claim brought by a former partner.
SRA “has gone too far” with demands in SLAPPs guidance
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s guidance on SLAPPs may go too far in requiring practitioners to ascertain the truth of their client’s case, a senior barrister has suggested.
Train case lawyers will be paid more if fewer people claim damages
The reasonable costs of a £25m class action settlement are “probably well in excess of £10m” but the lawyers and funder will only receive that if many of those entitled to damages do not claim them.
Blog
The trade-off mid-sized firm partners think they’re making
Most of the partners I talk to describe the same tension. They want the firm to run efficiently and hit its numbers, but they also want their people to feel supported, developed and fairly treated.
Communication as the core of client care in conveyancing
How a conveyancer approaches client care – particularly in relation to communication – can be the greatest differentiator for the success of a conveyancing firm.
Why brilliant lawyers sometimes fail
A question that often strikes a chord with partners in law firms is this: why is it that individuals who excel in one role sometimes struggle when promoted into another?
Reports
Associates
