Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Solicitor who lied to clients about progress of litigation is struck off
A solicitor who lied to litigation clients about sending pre-action protocol letters and failed to tell one of them about a costs offer until it expired has been struck off.
Arbuthnot defends Bates backer as peers debate litigation funding bill
The former MP who championed the cause of sub-postmasters has defended the litigation funder which took a large chunk of the damages in the pivotal civil action.
$1.8m negligence claim against City law firm “must go to trial”
A businessman’s $1.75m negligence claim against City law firm Clyde & Co for allegedly failing to advise him properly on the risk of an anti-suit injunction “must go to trial”, the High Court has ruled.
Compulsory small claims mediation to go live next month
Mediation will become mandatory in some money disputes worth less than £10,000 filed from 22 May, where brought on paper or through HMCTS’s traditional online systems.
High Court throws out £55m claim against law firms
A businessman who brought a claim against two leading law firms, and also reported them and those representing them to the SRA, has seen his case struck out.
Lawyers join forces with newspaper editors to urge SLAPPs bill changes
Media lawyers have joined forces with newspaper editors and others to urge the government to tighten up the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill.
Government reviews role of apologies in civil litigation
The government today launches a consultation on whether it should be easier to apologise in civil proceedings without admitting liability.
Top litigation funder uses astrophysicists to help cut loss rate
Burford Capital, the world’s largest litigation funder, is using astrophysicists to help cut its loss rate from double figures to 8%, the company’s chief executive has revealed.
Government to raise extra £35m after trimming list of rising court fees
The government has trimmed the number of court fees it will increase by 10% next month, reducing the likely revenue they will raise from £42m to £35m.
MPs urge SRA to speed up investigation into SSB collapse
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to speed up its investigation into the collapse of Sheffield law firm SSB Law, MPs said this week, with one calling out “dodgy” solicitors.
Wasted costs “not the right approach” for ex-client let down by firm
The High Court has rejected an unusual application by a former client for wasted costs against a law firm which accepted its conduct of his case was “reprehensible”.
Post Office makes “policy decision” to stop using ‘without prejudice’
The Post Office has made a “policy decision” to remove the label ‘without prejudice’ from its Horizon Shortfall Scheme compensation letters, against legal advice.
Shell seeks millions in costs from law firm over failed oil spill claim
Listed law firm Rosenblatt is facing the prospect of having to pay out millions of pounds after the High Court allowed proceedings for costs orders against it to proceed.
Inability to afford a lawyer “cannot delay proceedings”, says master
An impecunious defendant seeking to stay an action because they cannot afford legal representation must show they are trying to rectify the situation, a High Court master has said.
Government publishes bill to reverse impact of PACCAR ruling
The Ministry of Justice yesterday published a two-clause bill to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling in PACCAR and return certainty to litigation funding agreements.