Litigation/Dispute Resolution
SLAPPs reform to remove costs risk from defending claims
The government looks set to remove the costs risk from defending cases found to be SLAPPs and will in time extend the curbs it announced on Tuesday beyond economic crime.
Government finally unveils laws to clamp down on SLAPPs
The government is to define in law what a SLAPP is in relation to economic crime and require claimants to prove it has a reasonable chance of success to advance it in court.
Online rule committee gears up for work – but where to begin?
The Online Procedure Rule Committee is finally up and running and due to meet this month – although the specific areas of litigation where it will initially focus are not yet known.
Court rejects solicitor’s appeal after libel claim is thrown out
A High Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a solicitor who launched a £10,000 libel claim over an online review, citing her “longstanding and reprehensible” rule breaches.
Supreme Court will not hear appeal on largest-ever group action
The Supreme Court has refused mining giant BHP permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision allowing the largest group action ever to go ahead.
Law firm had “every right” to terminate retainer, judge rules
A law firm had “every right” to terminate its retainer with a clinical negligence client when presented with evidence from the defendant that she had lied about the severity of her symptoms.
MR on fixed costs extension: “I hope it works”
The Master of the Rolls has said he believes the extension of fixed recoverable costs (FRCs) to many cases worth up to £100,000 in October is “a good thing” and “I hope it works”.
Claim against law firm lost by court can proceed, appeal judges rule
A claim against a law firm thrown out for being served too late can now proceed after the Court of Appeal held that the claim form was sealed with the wrong date.
“About time” – Post Office replaces HSF as Horizon inquiry lawyers
The Post Office has replaced City giant Herbert Smith Freehills as its solicitors for the ongoing Horizon IT Inquiry, it announced yesterday, a move observers suggested was overdue.
Time from issue to trial in county court hits record high of 80 weeks
The number of claims lodged at the county court has returned to near pre-Covid levels but the time between issue and trial has reached a new all-time high.
High Court rejects claims against law firm over corporate restructure
The High Court has rejected claims made against a law firm which advised a medical services company on a restructure which claimants alleged was designed to put its assets beyond the reach of creditors.
High Court dismisses negligence claim over failed group action
The High Court has struck out a negligence claim against the law firm and eight barristers who acted on a failed group action on behalf of more than 40,000 Kenyans against the Foreign Office.
Judge criticises “gratuitously offensive” comments aimed at solicitors
The judge in the Chris Packham libel trial has deprecated “gratuitously offensive” comments the defendants targeted at the TV presenter’s solicitors.
Struck-off conspiracy theorist solicitor jailed for contempt
A struck-off solicitor who issues “spurious applications and claims” in the names of “innocent litigants” has failed in his appeal against a 12-month prison sentence for contempt.
Judges spell out warning on embargo breaches and contempt
Concern among the senior judiciary about the spate of breaches of embargoes on draft judgment has resulted in a clear warning in the updated King’s Bench Division guide.
Blog
Is clients’ use of AI destroying legal privilege?
Much has been written about the risks of lawyers misusing AI. However, in my view, the greater challenge lies elsewhere: the routine use of AI by clients themselves.
Does the Lloyd review mark the end of the Legal Services Act?
The Legal Services Board often generates eye-rolls and irritation from the leaders of the frontline regulators it oversees and of the representative bodies attached to them.
A familiar story?
There is no doubt that the rising cost of clinical negligence claims deserves attention. However, the system’s true cost driver is often not the claim itself.
