Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Judge condemns law firm’s “incompetence” in probate dispute
A law firm based in Hertfordshire has been severely criticised by a High Court judge for the “heinous” errors it made and its “simple incompetence” in pursuing a probate dispute.
Class action firm writes off £14m in fees after ‘drop hands’ settlement
Class action law firm Hausfeld has had to write off £14m in fees after the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved a drop-hands settlement of a client’s collective action.
Parliamentary pincer movement aims to up SLAPPs law pressure
The second of two private members’ bills to introduce an anti-SLAPPs law will be introduced in the House of Commons today in a bid to pressure the government to act.
Solicitor who believed court made error cleared of dishonesty
A veteran solicitor who genuinely believed a court had entered judgment against his client by error has been cleared of multiple allegations made against him at a tribunal.
CJC launches review of track limits and High Court boundary
A “generational” review of court track limits and the boundary between the High Court and county court has been kicked off by the Civil Justice Council.
Litigation funder fails in bid for greater profit from Mastercard claim
The Divisional Court has rejected the high-profile challenge by a litigation funder to its return from the Merricks Mastercard claim, which settled for £200m.
Litigation funding reform remains our intention, minister tells MPs
Litigation funding reform, the interest on lawyers’ client accounts scheme and the regulation of legal AI tools were all on the agenda for justice minister Sarah Sackman yesterday.
Claims firm expects winding-up petition to be dismissed
A North-West consumer claims law firm that was facing a winding-up petition has paid its debt and expects the matter to be formally concluded soon.
Consumers need “clearer signposting” to legal expenses insurance
There should be “clearer national signposting” to point consumers towards both legal advice services and insurance-backed provision, a report has recommended.
LeO not set up to handle solicitor/client costs disputes – for now
The Legal Ombudsman is open to a discussion on it replacing the courts for costs disputes between solicitors and their clients – but would not be in a position to actually do it for some time.
Solicitor took money in “fraudulent breach of trust”
A solicitor has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds after the High Court made findings of fraud and fraudulent breach of trust against him.
County court delays continue to fall, figures show
Delays in the county courts continue to fall – and sharply, according to the latest official figures from the Ministry of Justice.
Judge condemns National Lottery bidder’s “extraordinary” litigation conduct
The High Court has awarded indemnity costs over a failed £1bn challenge to the award of the National Lottery so as to mark its disapproval of the claimants’ “extraordinary” litigation conduct.
Farewell to the Chancery Division in High Court shake-up
The Lady Chief Justice has unveiled a modernisation of the High Court which will see a new Business and Property Division replace the Chancery Division.
Pogust loses first round of £3m costs battle with ‘subcontractor’ law firm
A judge has partially struck out a defence lodged by class action specialist Pogust Goodhead in a battle over £3.1m in fees which litigation boutique Seladore Legal says it is owed.
Blog
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.
Linklaters’ chief growth officer takes the ‘blank sheet’ challenge
In the third and final part of this series, Lucy Murphy, chief growth officer at magic circle firm Linklaters, outlines her vision for the law firm of the future.
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge, part 2 – what would you do differently?
In the second part of this blog series, Shainul Kassam, managing director of small London firm Fortune Law, sets out how she would set up a law firm now.
