Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Law firm overturns costs bill misconduct ruling
The rules on misconduct in the CPR do not apply to solicitor/client costs assessments, the High Court has decided in overturning a finding against a Manchester law firm.
CJC begins process for major reform of costs regime
A rethought costs system that puts digitisation, vulnerable court users and a properly functioning civil justice system is the goal set out in a Civil Justice Council consultation.
Signing CFA “not informed consent” to deduct costs from damages
A costs judge has ruled that a litigation friend did not give informed consent to deductions from a protected party’s damages simply by signing a conditional fee agreement.
Insolvency cases on the rise after difficult year for litigation funder
Listed insolvency litigation funder Manolete saw its turnover and profit fall significantly in the last year due to Covid but is now seeing “strong growth in new case enquiries”.
SRA seeks whistleblowing role as part of SLAPPs action
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to make it easier for law firm staff to blow the whistle on their employers, as part of its work on SLAPPs – of which it is investigating more than 20.
Costs lawyers urged to play bigger role in “out of control” market
The whole profession needs to address “out of control” legal costs, a major new report has concluded, but costs lawyers have a significant role to play in exerting downward pressure on them.
Retainer entitled law firm to £300,000 fee for aborted bond issue
A small central London law firm has been awarded the £300,000 owed under a retainer which the client had claimed was not payable as the transaction it advised on did not go ahead.
Absolute privilege protects pre-action protocol letters
Absolute privilege applies to communications within pre-action protocols and protects them from defamation claims, a deputy High Court master has ruled in the first such decision.
Law firms in court dispute over identical web copy
A Bradford law firm has failed in an application for an order to force a firm in London to reveal who provided it with web copy that was identical to its own.
City law firm “unreasonably” refused offers to mediate negligence claim
City law firm Charles Russell Speechlys acted unreasonably in refusing to mediate a professional negligence claim that it ultimately lost, the High Court 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.
