Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Class action firm writes off £14m in fees after ‘drop hands’ settlement
Class action law firm Hausfeld has had to write off £14m in fees after the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved a drop-hands settlement of a client’s collective action.
Parliamentary pincer movement aims to up SLAPPs law pressure
The second of two private members’ bills to introduce an anti-SLAPPs law will be introduced in the House of Commons today in a bid to pressure the government to act.
Solicitor who believed court made error cleared of dishonesty
A veteran solicitor who genuinely believed a court had entered judgment against his client by error has been cleared of multiple allegations made against him at a tribunal.
CJC launches review of track limits and High Court boundary
A “generational” review of court track limits and the boundary between the High Court and county court has been kicked off by the Civil Justice Council.
Litigation funder fails in bid for greater profit from Mastercard claim
The Divisional Court has rejected the high-profile challenge by a litigation funder to its return from the Merricks Mastercard claim, which settled for £200m.
Litigation funding reform remains our intention, minister tells MPs
Litigation funding reform, the interest on lawyers’ client accounts scheme and the regulation of legal AI tools were all on the agenda for justice minister Sarah Sackman yesterday.
Claims firm expects winding-up petition to be dismissed
A North-West consumer claims law firm that was facing a winding-up petition has paid its debt and expects the matter to be formally concluded soon.
Consumers need “clearer signposting” to legal expenses insurance
There should be “clearer national signposting” to point consumers towards both legal advice services and insurance-backed provision, a report has recommended.
LeO not set up to handle solicitor/client costs disputes – for now
The Legal Ombudsman is open to a discussion on it replacing the courts for costs disputes between solicitors and their clients – but would not be in a position to actually do it for some time.
Solicitor took money in “fraudulent breach of trust”
A solicitor has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds after the High Court made findings of fraud and fraudulent breach of trust against him.
Blog
The SRA and privileged material – this is not the end
All disclosure to the SRA must now exclude privileged material, which will not only hamper investigations but also cause additional work for firms providing disclosure.
Legal Ombudsman fee reforms risk widening the justice gap
Charging firms simply because a complaint moves through the process weakens the present connection between fees and fault. It could also encourage firms to settle for commercial reasons.
Why upfront information could transform home buying
The success of upfront property information will depend on more than simply making the information available.
Reports
Associates
