Litigation/Dispute Resolution
SRA ordered to make interim £200k costs payment to Dentons
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been ordered make an interim costs payment of £200,000 to global law firm Dentons – but the Court of Appeal questioned the overall costs claimed.
Trial-hungry US law firms “have reshaped UK litigation market”
The investment of US law firms in the UK litigation market is paying off, according to new figures which show them involved in one in five Commercial Court cases.
FCA claims market review to focus on financial services and housing
The Financial Conduct Authority’s review of the claims management market will focus on financial services and products, and housing disrepair, it has announced.
LeO directs law firm to pay £49k in latest public interest decisions
The Legal Ombudsman directed London law firm Laytons to pay £49,000 in compensation to a client for failing to register her lease extension in the latest batch of public interest decisions.
High Court judge criticises litigators’ unwillingness to co-operate
A High Court judge has criticised “the instinct of litigators to object to anything proposed by the other side” when it would be better just to say ‘yes’.
Judge rebukes HMRC for “extraordinary allegation” against law firm
A judge has condemned HM Revenue & Customs for making the “extraordinary allegation” that a law firm would engage in abusive behaviour over listing a hearing.
Judge slams class action firm for bringing claim without authorisation
Class action law firm Pogust Goodhead has been ordered to make a £900,000 interim costs payment after a judge found it did not have authority to bring proceedings started in 2020.
Judge refers solicitors to SRA for fake AI-generated cases
A circuit judge has referred two solicitors to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for submitting hallucinated cases to the court.
“Significant new evidence” in employment judge misconduct case
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office has agreed to reinvestigate allegations of bullying and intimidation against Employment Judge Philip Lancaster, in light of “significant new evidence”.
Indemnity costs ordered over threat to report solicitors to SRA
A company has been ordered to pay indemnity costs because of its solicitors’ misuse of criminal contempt proceedings and threats to report their opposition to the SRA.
King’s Speech: No litigation funding, SLAPPs or AML reform
The King’s Speech yesterday was notable as much for what was not in it as what was, with significant omissions including the promised litigation funding bill.
CA overturns referral of KC for contempt hearing over closing speech
The Court of Appeal has set aside a Crown Court judge’s referral of a KC for contempt of court proceedings after finding the High Court did not have the jurisdiction to pursue them.
Barrister denies raping client’s daughter in chambers
A barrister has denied raping the vulnerable daughter of one of his clients, who demanded £100,000 from him as an out-of-court settlement.
FCA warns legal challenges could scupper any motor finance scheme
If the various legal challenges to current motor finance compensation scheme succeed, there might be no scheme at all, the Financial Conduct Authority has warned.
CAT approves £1.7bn Microsoft action despite funder “uncertainty”
The CAT has approved a £1.7bn opt-out collective action against Microsoft despite admitting that “a degree of uncertainty” surrounded its funder.
Blog
The overlooked hate crime reform in Crime & Policing Act
Reforms introduced by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 mark a significant development in hate crime law in England and Wales, recognising hostility related to sex as an aggravated offence.
The SRA’s strict liability gamble has failed. Good
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dentons v SRA on 27 April, and the profession is right to welcome it. It is the second time in short succession that the court has corrected the SRA.
How AI presents real opportunities for barristers
AI presents real opportunities to improve access to justice and to support barristers in day-to-day legal practice. But we all need to understand and mitigate the risks.
