Litigation/Dispute Resolution

The High Court has issued a stark warning to solicitors who sign a certificate of compliance on non-compliant witness statements so their clients can have their day in court.

A law firm waived its equitable lien when it replaced its original retainer with a fixed-fee agreement (FFA) and deed of charge over the client’s assets, the Supreme Court has ruled.

A non-party to a property dispute, condemned in his absence by a recorder for dishonest conspiracy, was the victim of an “unlawful judicial act” which breached his human rights, the High Court has ruled.

A £600,000 print and digital advertising campaign to draw public attention to the landmark £17bn Mastercard class action began yesterday.

Shares in RBG Holdings PLC – which owns law firms Rosenblatt and Memery Crystal – dived by 23% yesterday after having to write off £4m because of its litigation funding arm.

The time between issue and trial for fast- and multi-track claims has now exceeded 75 weeks, the longest this century, according to the latest government figures.

The BSB is considering following the SRA in issuing guidance on SLAPPs. It comes as the solicitors acting for Conservative Party chairman Nadeem Zahawi have been reported under the SRA notice.

A woman whose solicitors’ error meant she was too late to challenge her mother’s will has been given permission to bring her action out of time.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been awarded a £120,000 government grant to explore ways to increase the use of technology-enabled dispute resolution.

Two City law firms acting for the defendants in a £150m class action have been rebuked by the Competition Appeal Tribunal for writing directly to class members.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is now investigating 29 cases where law firms might be involved in SLAPPs, it revealed yesterday as it issued a warning notice over such abusive litigation.

EasyJet’s latest effort to cut out solicitors from flight delay claims has failed, after the Court of Appeal found shortcomings in its automated system.

The government has delayed the extension of fixed recoverable costs for most money cases worth up to £100,000 by a further six months to October 2023.

Crowdfunding judicial reviews has raised over £9.1m in donations for 413 cases, an academic analysis has revealed. The financial reality of bringing a typical claim was “incredibly burdensome”.

There is no general rule that the identity of those instructing solicitors on behalf of a corporate client is protected by litigation privilege, the Court of Appeal has ruled.