Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Survey: Public think badly of law firms with Russian clients
UK law firms are risking their public reputation by working with Russian litigants, the largest group of international users of the Commercial Court in the last year, new research has warned.
Commercial Court judges express frustration at parties’ excesses
Two Commercial Court judges have expressed annoyance with parties for taking unnecessary points, with one imposing a costs penalty in line with recent guidance.
Barrister given green light to pursue outstanding fees claim
The High Court has rejected an Italian law firm’s bid to stay a barrister’s claim for outstanding fees because of an action it took against him in its home country.
Identity of person instructing solicitors not covered by privilege
The High Court has rejected a company’s claim to litigation privilege over the identity of who instructed its lawyers, with the judge setting out a two-part test on what was a novel point.
PI firms face more deduction claims after Checkmylegalfees court win
Millions of former clients of personal injury firms may have claims to recover deductions following a High Court ruling today, according to specialist claims business Checkmylegalfees.
MPs see lawyers clash over need for action to curb SLAPPs
Leading libel lawyers have given very different opinions to the justice committee on what the government should do to control SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
Commercial Court “actively looking” to hear cases outside London
The judge in charge of the Commercial Court has said she is “actively looking” for cases that can be heard outside of London – cases should be tried where they can best be heard for that dispute.
Government puts back fixed costs extension by six months
The Ministry of Justice has put back by six months to April 2023 the extension of fixed recoverable costs across the fast-track and in most money cases worth up to £100,000.
Appeal court deprecates “act of deliberate concealment” by party
Civil litigation should be conducted “with cards on the table – face up” and the courts should not “sanction an act of deliberate concealment” by one of the parties, appeal judges have ruled.
Court of Appeal backs decision to make collective action opt-out
The difficulty of people signing up to a collective action and the availability of third-party funding were legitimate factors to take into account in making it opt-out, the Court of Appeal 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.
