Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Senior judges back push to move High Court cases to the regions
The High Court has transferred another case from London to Leeds at the same time as senior judges emphasised that the location of the lawyers is not a trump card in determining venue.
Appeal judges reject challenge to litigation funder assignment
Appeal judges have rejected a company director’s challenge against the assignment by an insolvency practitioner of a claim against her parents to a litigation funder.
Leading PI specialist moves into commercial litigation
The executive chairman of Winn Group – one of the country’s largest personal injury firms – has described how the firm has moved into commercial litigation for cases worth less than £100,000.
Entrepreneur found in contempt over unpaid legal fees fails in appeal
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a high-profile entrepreneur’s appeal against a suspended jail sentence for contempt over unpaid legal fees, saying it could have been longer.
DBA client admits allegations against law firm were to get out of paying
A client who went to the Court of Appeal to challenge the damages-based agreement she signed has admitted she alleged impropriety against her solicitors purely to escape payment.
“Reprehensible” clients ordered to pay ex-solicitors indemnity costs
The Court of Appeal has awarded indemnity costs against a couple who owe their former solicitors over £3m in outstanding legal fees and were committed to prison last year.
Courts send different messages to lawyers over witness statements
The strengthened rules on witness statements should not be used as a “weapon with which to fillet” essentially insignificant failures to comply, a High Court judge has said.
First VW emissions group claim settles for £193m plus costs
The Volkswagen NOx emissions group litigation settled yesterday for £193m – some £2,120 for each of the 91,000 claimants, but more like £3,000 when costs and other fees are added.
Paper-only small claims pilot “likely to do injustice” to litigants
A pilot scheme that will see small claims cases determined on the paper in six county courts from next month is “likely to do injustice” to litigants, an academic has argued. Dr Kate Leader, senior lecturer at York University, said… Read More
Survey: Public think badly of law firms with Russian clients
UK law firms are risking their public reputation by working with Russian litigants, the largest group of international users of the Commercial Court in the last year, new research has warned.
Commercial Court judges express frustration at parties’ excesses
Two Commercial Court judges have expressed annoyance with parties for taking unnecessary points, with one imposing a costs penalty in line with recent guidance.
Barrister given green light to pursue outstanding fees claim
The High Court has rejected an Italian law firm’s bid to stay a barrister’s claim for outstanding fees because of an action it took against him in its home country.
Identity of person instructing solicitors not covered by privilege
The High Court has rejected a company’s claim to litigation privilege over the identity of who instructed its lawyers, with the judge setting out a two-part test on what was a novel point.
PI firms face more deduction claims after Checkmylegalfees court win
Millions of former clients of personal injury firms may have claims to recover deductions following a High Court ruling today, according to specialist claims business Checkmylegalfees.
MPs see lawyers clash over need for action to curb SLAPPs
Leading libel lawyers have given very different opinions to the justice committee on what the government should do to control SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
