Litigation/Dispute Resolution
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.
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.
Blog
How does the legal profession become neuroinclusive?
My learning journey as mum to an autistic son with profound additional needs completely changed the way in which I work as a child protection lawyer.
The real cure for inequality at law firms? Listening
How can men, as one male panellist put it, “get out of the way of people coming up through the ranks?”
Most of these conversations only happen after the men leave the room.
Andy Burnham and the Hillsborough Law: should solicitors be worried?
Now that Andy Burnham has become prime minister, the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, otherwise known as the Hillsborough Law, will receive a real boost of political capital.
