Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Commercial Court “actively looking” to hear cases outside London
The judge in charge of the Commercial Court has said she is “actively looking” for cases that can be heard outside of London – cases should be tried where they can best be heard for that dispute.
Government puts back fixed costs extension by six months
The Ministry of Justice has put back by six months to April 2023 the extension of fixed recoverable costs across the fast-track and in most money cases worth up to £100,000.
Appeal court deprecates “act of deliberate concealment” by party
Civil litigation should be conducted “with cards on the table – face up” and the courts should not “sanction an act of deliberate concealment” by one of the parties, appeal judges have ruled.
Court of Appeal backs decision to make collective action opt-out
The difficulty of people signing up to a collective action and the availability of third-party funding were legitimate factors to take into account in making it opt-out, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
No retainer between law firm and businessman in £2.5m dispute
There was no express or implied retainer between a law firm and a businessman with a “colourful commercial career” suing it for £2.5m in damages, the High Court has ruled.
Choosing London lawyers “does not guarantee” hearing in capital
The freedom of parties to choose their lawyers should not “transform into an ability to choose a venue”, a High Court judge has said in moving a judicial review hearing from London to Leeds.
Apology appeases court after yet another judgment embargo breach
The High Court has accepted an apology from a party which broke an embargo on a ruling, in the third such case in the space of just two months.
Judge rejects recusal in fees case involving firm that owes him money
A QC has rejected an application recuse himself from sitting as a deputy High Court judge in a case involving a law firm suing for unpaid fees that itself owes him fees.
Judge throws cold water on “insignificant” data breach claims
The burgeoning field of data breach claims has taken a blow with a High Court judge saying the disclosure of a person’s name, gender and date of birth is not serious enough.
MPs lament “missed opportunities” of court reform programme
The Ministry of Justice and courts service have “missed opportunities to swiftly deliver an ambitious court reform programme”, MPs on the justice select committee said today.
Judge could hand down judgment despite settlement
A deputy master could hand down her judgment on a case that had been heard but settled the day before she was due to circulate a draft striking out the claims, the High Court has ruled.
Court slams “reprehensible” firm for trying to shift blame for failings
The senior Queen’s Bench master has strongly criticised a Liverpool law firm over its approach to the Volkswagen emissions case and trying to blame other solicitors for its failings.
Ince Group granted injunction after ransomware attack
Listed law firm The Ince Group has been granted an interim injunction to stop hackers from releasing confidential data on the dark web if it does not pay a ransom.
SRA rebukes leading class action firm over conduct of struck-out claim
Class action firm Hausfeld has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for allowing its independence to be compromised in the conduct of a massive group claim.
Client suing law firm ordered to pay security for costs
A businessman whose property company is suing a law firm for damages cannot provide security for costs in the form of an indemnity backed by legal charges and must provide cash.
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.
