Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Litigator who misled client, firm and court about cases struck off
A solicitor who lied to her institutional client, her employer and the court to cover up her failure to progress cases has been struck off.
High Court reverses circuit judge’s decision to reduce costs budget
The High Court has taken the unusual step of reversing a circuit judge’s decision to reduce a costs budget, finding she “closed her mind to any argument” based on a comparison with the other side’s.
Litigant misled court over response from other side’s solicitors
A litigant in person who made a ‘without notice’ application to move property transactions to completion, blaming the other side’s solicitors for not replying to him, mislead the court.
Firm that enforced litigation non-compete clause goes after funders
The law firm that won a Supreme Court ruling enforcing a non-compete undertaking given by another is also suing the litigation funder which worked with that firm, it has emerged.
High Court removes arbitrator who pre-judged expert evidence
The High Court has removed a sole arbitrator it found had pre-judged the merits of a dispute because he said he knew and would believe the expert witnesses one side had put forward.
Court brands conduct of ex-Linklaters partner as “reprehensible”
A High Court judge has branded as “reprehensible” the behaviour of a former Linklaters partner in failing to return the $25m he was asked to invest on behalf of a Saudi princess.
Hundreds of police officer data breach claims struck out
Hundreds of police officers who brought data breach and misuse of private information claims where their pre-issue costs alone were £1.2m have seen their claims struck out.
Lawyers question effectiveness of new anti-SLAPPs law
The government last week backed a private member’s bill aimed at extending the new law on SLAPPs beyond economic crime to all types of litigation but lawyers have expressed concerns.
Completion of court modernisation programme delayed yet again
The court modernisation programme – which was originally meant to have concluded in 2020 – has been extended once more, with elements of it ditched as well.
Bott & Co teams up with CMC to boost car finance mis-selling practice
Leading consumer law firm Bott & Co has become the latest to step up its focus on car finance mis-selling cases, unveiling a “strategic collaboration” with a CMC.
Employers join forces to develop costs lawyer apprenticeship
Fifteen law firms and the Government Legal Department have joined forces to develop the newest legal apprenticeship, for costs lawyers, with final approval of the scheme anticipated in the summer.
In-house lawyers expecting more litigation over next three years
Many in-house lawyers expect to see more disputes over the next three years, with employment litigation likely to grow faster than any other type, according to new research.
Rule committee opposed elements of FRC reforms, minutes show
The Civil Procedure Rule Committee rejected some of the government proposals to amend the extended fixed recoverable costs regime that will come into force this year, it has emerged.
Mishcon acquires group actions management business
London firm Mishcon de Reya has acquired a majority stake in Somos, a global group actions management business set up by two of the founding partners of PGMBM.
High Court activity steady in 2023 as Clydes and 4 New Square lead way
Clyde & Co and 4 New Square were the most active law firm and chambers in the High Court in 2023, a year that saw commercial dispute numbers stay steady and insolvency matters on the rise.