Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Law firm signs up 1,000 clients affected by Afghan data breach
Consumer claims law firm Barings says it is already working with 1,000 people affected by the Afghan data breach, while Leigh Day says claimants will retain at least 70% of damages.
JAC “should not automatically” keep negative soundings secret
The Judicial Appointments Commission was wrong to adopt a practice of never putting negative material to a candidate save in exceptional circumstances, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Public has “very high” expectations of motor finance compensation
Public expectations of compensation over motor finance mis-selling are running “very high”, according to research published by Slater & Gordon.
Access to justice is improving, says Master of the Rolls
Access to justice is “improving” and people are “surprised when they use the new systems which we’ve put in place” how easy to use they are, the Master of the Rolls has told peers.
Birss: Accreditation of experts “could be extended beyond PI”
“Further forms” of accreditation for expert witnesses beyond the existing MedCo scheme in personal injury could be “worthy of consideration”, the deputy head of civil justice has said.
Law firm in CAT case calls for £6m charity donation
The law firm acting for the claimants in the boundary fares collective action has called for a donation of £5-6m from unclaimed damages to the Access to Justice Foundation.
High Court rejects law firm’s appeal over “warehousing” claim
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a former law firm whose counterclaim was struck out on the grounds of abuse of process by “warehousing”.
LeO names firms “in public interest” as it publishes first full decisions
The Legal Ombudsman has published three of its final decisions in full for the first time, including the names of the firms involved, arguing that the move increases transparency.
Senior lawyer “should decide if Post Office compensation is full and fair”
A senior lawyer should be appointed to make sure that first compensation offers to victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal are “full and fair”, the first part of the inquiry report has recommended.
Government backs MP’s bill to extend use of remote hearings
The government has given its “wholehearted support” to a private member’s bill that gives judges the power to hold remote hearing for breaches of some injunctions.
Rule change to stop solicitors “unreasonably refusing” service by email
Parties or their solicitors “unreasonably refusing to accept electronic service” could become a tactic of the past under reforms put out by the CPRC.
Court of Appeal upholds post-PACCAR litigation funding deals
The Court of Appeal has upheld as enforceable litigation funding agreements which calculate funders’ return as a multiple of their investment, rather than a percentage of damages.
Automated small claims platform secures £550,000 in funding
An automated platform which uses generative AI to “hold the hand” of customers throughout the small claims process has secured £550,000 in its second funding round.
Solicitor facing tax fraud trial fails in privilege claim over seized material
A solicitor facing trial for tax fraud has failed in his claim that HM Revenue & Customs should return materials it seized from him because they are privileged.
Relief for litigation funders after US tax on proceeds is axed
Litigation funders are breathing a big sigh of relief after a proposed 32% tax on proceeds from successful cases was removed from President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.