Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Few intermediate track claims yet amid continuing civil court delays
A mere 135 cases had been allocated to the intermediate track by the end of June, while delays for the other tracks remain close to all-time highs, according to new figures.
30-year high in insolvencies boosts litigation funder
Listed insolvency litigation funder Manolete said it was enjoying “the most attractive trading conditions” since the business was formed in 2009 as it announced strong financial results.
Representative action “motivated by financial rewards” struck out
The High Court has struck out a prospective representative action on behalf of people who have suffered flight delays because it was more about the funder making money than consumer rights.
Claim against law firm thrown out over LiP’s service failure
The High Court did not “receive” a claim form that was not properly e-filed by a litigant in person wanting to sue her former solicitors, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Anti-corruption campaign criticises government refusal to act on arbitration
The government’s refusal to address the risks of corruption infecting arbitration is “a missed opportunity” that risks the UK’s reputation, a campaign group has argued.
Court rejects bid to force top City firm to hand over documents
The High Court has refused to order that a leading City law firm hand over all the information and documents it holds in relation to a client’s sister company.
Law firm “did not have to explain itself” to opposing solicitors
Solicitors in a dispute over service did not have to explain to their opposite numbers why they believed they were not out of time, the High Court has ruled.
Judge releases law firm from privilege to defend claim
A City law firm will be able to fully defend itself from serious allegations after a judge held that its former clients cannot claim legal professional privilege because of the iniquity exemption.
Law firm “retrospectively created” client-care letters to aid costs claim
A law firm has won its claim over unpaid fees, even though the judge found that the client-care letters presented to the court were “retrospectively created” to support its case.
Judge’s “concern” that law firm’s administrator was too close to owner
A judge has set aside his order for payment of a law firm’s administrator after new evidence raised “a sense of real unease and concern” about the decision.
Accountant-owned law firm targets Bounce Back Loan clients
A law firm bought by an accountant earlier this summer is to launch a national campaign to attract directors involved in disputes over Bounce Back Loans.
Vexatious ex-solicitor cannot start litigating again, High Court says
The High Court has refused to allow a struck-off solicitor to reopen vexatious litigation against the Law Society, Bar Council, senior judges, lawyers and many others.
Regulators “must warn lawyers against taking advantage of LiPs”
Legal regulators must warn lawyers that they will face action to stop them unethically taking advantage of vulnerable litigants, a charity has urged.
Judge says solicitor made “false” declaration on witness statements
A solicitor’s declaration that three witness statements were compliant with the rules set out in practice direction 57AC was false, the High Court has ruled.
Judge criticies Freshfields for approach to draft judgment
The High Court has criticised City giant Freshfields for requesting changes to a draft judgment without informing the opposing solicitors.
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
