Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Counsel should not have attacked solicitor’s integrity, says judge
A High Court judge has criticised an attack on the professional integrity of a solicitor to an ex-Newcastle United footballer made during the player’s legal action against his former agent.
Firm’s £3m of invoices face assessment after losing ‘statute bill’ fight
National law firm Weightmans is to have nearly 50 invoices totalling £3m subjected to a detailed assessment after failing to convince a judge they were interim statute bills.
Judge rejects defendant’s request to pay law firm’s £2m costs
A High Court judge has refused a request from a defendant in the London Capital & Finance fraud case to use the proceeds of sale of his home to pay his solicitors over £2m.
High Court allows McKenzie Friend to exercise rights of audience
A High Court judge has allowed a McKenzie Friend to exercise rights of audience in supporting a defendant facing an order that could lead to a jail sentence for contempt being activated.
Fee-earner found in contempt over documents taken from law firm
A fee-earner who has not complied with a court order to return documents taken from his former law firm has been handed a four-month suspended jail sentence for contempt.
Law firm fails to strike out former partner’s unfair prejudice petition
Well-known London litigation firm Candey has failed in a bid to strike out an unfair prejudice claim brought by a former partner.
SRA “has gone too far” with demands in SLAPPs guidance
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s guidance on SLAPPs may go too far in requiring practitioners to ascertain the truth of their client’s case, a senior barrister has suggested.
Train case lawyers will be paid more if fewer people claim damages
The reasonable costs of a £25m class action settlement are “probably well in excess of £10m” but the lawyers and funder will only receive that if many of those entitled to damages do not claim them.
Leading firm apologises to court for interfering with expert’s statement
A leading London law firm has apologised to the High Court and opposing party after going too far in asking an expert witness to amend a joint statement.
Litigation funding supports the public interest, major research finds
Litigation funding supports the public interest and access to justice but will remain niche in aiding consumers, according to major research which identified 44 cases in the last five years.
“We bit off more than we could chew” with court reforms, minister admits
Justice minister Mike Freer has admitted to MPs that the government “bit off more than we could chew” with its £1.3bn court modernisation programme.
Public happy to see law firms staying out of Russia
The public continues to support law firms not operating in Russia, according to research that also shows how the Commercial Court has weathered a big drop-off in Russians litigating here.
Barristers “do not want remote hearings rolled back”
Barristers do not want to see “progress on remote hearings rolled back” and almost half would like the number to be increased, a report by the Bar Council has found.
Exclusive: Allow courts to fine lawyers who bring SLAPPs, says Browder
The courts should have the power to issue big fines for law firms that bring SLAPPs, global anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder has told Legal Futures.
Huge costs award over way claims company pursued £400m case
A claims management company’s allegations of fraud, whose purpose was to pressure a bank to settle a £400m case that ultimately failed at trial, justified awarding indemnity costs.
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.
