Litigation/Dispute Resolution
A&O’s multi-strand strategy to improve diversity of barristers it uses
Broadening the exposure of its solicitors to new barristers, to avoid them just instructing the same counsel, is among the initiatives Allen & Overy is using to improve the diversity of those it instructs.
Two major representative actions discontinued in wake of Google ruling
Two major representative actions over alleged data breaches have been discontinued in the wake of last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Lloyd v Google, it has emerged.
Witness tried to give remote evidence while driving a van
A witness who tried to give evidence by video, first in a van and then in a busy office, shows what can go wrong with remote hearings, a judge has warned.
Court of Appeal to start again in test case on deductions from PI damages
The much-anticipated hearing in Belsner was scrapped yesterday after the Court of Appeal raised the possibility that pre-action legal work was contentious business for costs purposes.
Suspended jail sentence for client over unpaid Farrer & Co bill
The High Court has issued a suspended jail sentence for contempt against a high-profile entrepreneur who owes London law firm Farrer & Co £200,000 in unpaid fees.
More money and an ‘initial litigation offering’ – funding boom goes on
Litigation funder Balance Legal Capital has raised £130m in the first close for a new fund as we round up developments in the funding world, including an ‘initial legal offering’ to the public.
Vos issues stern warning to chambers and law firms about embargoes
The Court of Appeal has issued a stern warning about breaking embargoes on judgments after a leading chambers accidentally issued a press release a day before the ruling was handed down.
Press panel pleads with government to introduce legal costs incentive
The government’s failure to commence legislation on costs in libel and other publication proceedings is denying members of the public justice, the Press Recognition Panel has argued.
Judge’s despair at solicitors acting “like schoolchildren in the playground”
The High Court has expressed its despair at solicitors conducting litigation “like schoolchildren in the playground”, as well as “pernicious” growth of satellite costs disputes.
Network launched to link “lonely” class representatives
A network has been launched today to support class representatives, who have the “lonely” task of representing huge numbers of consumers in competition claims.
MoJ consults again on international mediation convention
The Ministry of Justice has launched a second consultation on whether the UK should join the Singapore Convention, which deals with commercial mediation agreements.
Compulsory ADR needed for smallest claims, says CJC
ADR should be compulsory for claims worth less than £500, the Civil Justice Council has said. Claimants who refuse to mediate should have their claims stayed for a period and then struck out.
Written advice could have avoided negligence claim, courts tells firm
A law firm might have avoided a professional negligence case if its senior partner had provided more advice in writing rather than orally, the High Court has said.
Solicitor/own client disputes “continue to keep costs specialists busy”
A large number of costs lawyers continue to see their practices boom amid more people challenging the fees they paid to their former solicitors, new research has found.
Insurers invest in new professional negligence ABS
A niche alternative business structure specialising in defending professional negligence claims has been launched this month, with investment from the insurance industry.
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.
