Litigation/Dispute Resolution
“Shamelessness” of SLAPPs has grown but still no disciplinary action
The number and “shamelessness” of SLAPPs has grown but there has been no disciplinary action against the lawyers responsible for how they are run, a major conference heard yesterday.
Costs lawyers “bullish” about impact of fixed costs extension
Costs lawyers have had a good year, with a healthy proportion reporting growth in excess of 10% and many bullish about the impact of more fixed costs, according to their representative body.
Tribunal approves first post-PACCAR litigation funding agreement
The Competition Appeal Tribunal has approved a litigation funding agreement that was amended to take account of the Supreme Court ruling in PACCAR.
Judge penalises claimant for “unrealistic” costs budget
A judge has penalised a claimant for submitting an “unrealistic” costs budget, saying he hoped it would encourage parties to negotiate them before reaching court.
Arbitration Bill aims to retain pre-eminence of England and Wales
The Ministry of Justice yesterday published the Arbitration Bill, including a new statutory duty on arbitrators to disclose anything which might give rise to “justifiable doubts” about their impartiality.
High Court criticises firm for private prosecution disclosure failure
The High Court has criticised a leading private prosecutions law firm for the information it provided to persuade a judge to issue summonses alleging fraud against three people.
Judge acts to enforce deal between squabbling law firm owners
The High Court has made cross-examination and disclosure orders to enforce a consent order made in the wake of a nine-year dispute between solicitors over the winding down of their law firm.
Guideline hourly rates to rise in January as Vos implements CJC review
The Master of the Rolls today publicly accepted the recommendations of the Civil Justice Council’s costs review, starting with an increase in the guideline hourly rates in January.
High Court laments “wholly unacceptable” last-minute adjournment
A Commercial Court judge has blamed a claimant “in large part” for the “wholly unacceptable” last-minute adjournment of their case after he had begun pre-reading for it.
Government plan to address PACCAR “does not go far enough”
Lawyers and litigation funders have expressed disappointment at the government’s legislative proposal to address the Supreme Court’s PACCAR ruling.
High Court rejects GLO after law firm’s “wholesale failure”
The High Court has rejected an application by Welsh firm Hugh James for a group litigation order in the face of objections from 18 other law firms.
Prospect of paying fees “overcomes litigation funding scepticism”
Nearly two-thirds of consumers would prefer litigation funders to take a share of their compensation from class actions than pay legal fees, research has found.
Government eyes £42m boost through 10% court fees rise
The government is set to recoup up to £42m a year more in court fees after proposing a 10% increase in over 200 fees. It also plans biennial inflation increases in future.
Disbarred barrister faces jail for contempt over work as McKenzie Friend
A disbarred barrister is facing jail for contempt of court after failing to comply with a court order relating to allegations of misconduct while acting as a McKenzie Friend.
Court of Appeal to conclude hearing on compulsory ADR
The Court of Appeal will today conclude a three-day hearing on whether the courts can stay proceedings and require parties to engage in ADR as a condition of being able to continue their claims.
Blog
Mazur: a symptom not a cause?
If Mazur is a symptom, what does it mean for the underlying health of our civil justice system: the ‘finest legal system in the world’?
Cross-generation collaboration: the key to in-house legal tech adoption
In-house legal function leaders will increasingly have to evolve their thinking on how to manage multigenerational teams containing differing levels of technological expertise.
AI and law firm risk – the view of professional indemnity insurers
In considering law firm applications for cover, many insurers will expect to see evidence of how firms are adapting to AI and preparing for the future.
