Litigation/Dispute Resolution
ESG key to expanding litigation funding market, says report
The ESG – environment, social and governance – agenda will be the key driver of growth in litigation funding in the UK and continental Europe in the coming years, new research has predicted.
Platform aims to help smaller law firms “democratise” group actions
Group actions will no longer be the preserve of a few large claimant firms, according to the founders of an online platform whose development was supported by the SRA’s Legal Access Challenge.
High Court strikes out “fanciful” allegations against law firm and QC
The High Court has struck out “inherently fanciful” allegations made by a former City partner against, among others, another former City partner, a law firm and a QC.
PI costs ruling could have “significant” impact on settled cases
A Court of Appeal ruling that the wording of a settlement of a personal injury claim supplanted fixed costs could have “significant” implications, including for cases that have already settled.
“No claim is unmanageable”: Court of Appeal reinstates huge group action
The Court of Appeal has reinstated a £5bn claim that a High Court judge struck out because it risked becoming “the largest white elephant in the history of group actions”.
High Court: Ex-City solicitor failed to return $25m fund to Saudi princess
A former City solicitor was wrong not to return to a Saudi princess a $25m fund he had been managing for her over several years, the High Court has ruled.
Defendant DBAs are unlawful, Court of Appeal rules
An agreement that a defendant will pay their solicitors a percentage of any sums they successfully resist having to pay the claimant is unlawful and unenforceable, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
New litigation funder targets “niche within a niche”
A litigation funder launched this week with £25m backing from a US private equity firm is targeting what a “niche within a niche” – cases worth up to £1m in the Midlands and the North.
Firm ordered to pay wasted costs over lack of authority to act
A law firm has been ordered to pay wasted costs of £7,920 for not satisfying itself that the director of a company in deadlock with the other director had the authority to give it instructions.
Litigant in person can sue law centre and barrister for negligence
A litigant in person is not statute-barred from suing a law centre and barrister for professional negligence, a High Court master has ruled.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
