Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Law firm did not breach contract by releasing off-plan deposits
A law firm which released nearly £1.3m in deposits for off-plan flats in a failed development in Liverpool did not breach its contract with the buyers, appeal judges have ruled.
Ministry of Justice to launch call for evidence on open justice
The Ministry of Justice is to launch a “wide-ranging” call for evidence on open justice, access to information and transparency across the courts and tribunals.
Bank’s solicitor “may have owed duty of care” to third party
A bank’s solicitor may owe a duty of care to the seller of the property when filling in Land Registry paperwork to change the register, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Law firm fails in bid to throw out claim assigned to litigation funder
A law firm being sued for wrongly releasing £2m it held in escrow among other alleged errors has failed in its bid for summary judgment on major elements of the claim.
Class actions focusing on banks and competition law breaches
The UK’s biggest banks are facing 109 class actions across different jurisdictions, while the value of UK class actions for competition law breaches multiplied more than six fold to over £26bn last year.
Solicitor can sue ex-firm for misuse of private WhatsApp messages
The High Court has rejected a law firm owner’s attempt to “stifle” a misuse of private information claim by a junior solicitor he dismissed by applying to have her case struck out.
Costs lawyers call for revived remuneration certificate procedure
The Association of Costs Lawyers has proposed working with the Law Society and Legal Ombudsman to revive a 1990s procedure as an alternative way for clients to challenge smaller solicitors’ bills.
Work done in Scotland does not save law firm from claim in England
A Scottish law firm with no presence in England can be sued for negligence south of the border over advice given by a dual-qualified solicitor on plans for a Cornish wind farm, the High Court has ruled.
Judge orders law firm in web copy dispute to pay indemnity costs
A Bradford law firm has been ordered to pay indemnity costs after failing to obtain a court order forcing a rival firm to reveal who provided it with identical website copy.
Judge warns solicitors over witness statement compliance certificates
The High Court has issued a stark warning to solicitors who sign a certificate of compliance on non-compliant witness statements so their clients can have their day in court.
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
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