Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Barrister’s witness statement transcription tool trained in legal English
The first transcription tool specifically designed for witness statements has been launched this summer, after the AI was trained to cope with legal language such as “my learned friend”.
Multi-billion-pound class actions target video games and cryptocurrency
Two giant opt-out actions have been filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, claiming billions of pounds in damages on behalf of users of Sony PlayStation video games and cryptocurrency investors.
Sunak pledges crackdown on JR “lawfare” and “judicial recidivism”
Conservative leadership candidate Rishi Sunak yesterday pledged to crack down on “lawfare” and “judicial recidivism” with a focus on standing to bring judicial reviews.
Post Office inquiry chair urges higher legal fees for compensation advice
It is “essential” that sub-postmasters claiming on one of the compensation schemes following the Horizon scandal can recover their legal costs, the chair of the Post Office scandal enquiry said yesterday.
Scottish court: Injured woman cannot recover English solicitors’ costs
A Scottish woman injured in a car accident in France who sued the motorist’s insurer in Scotland acted unreasonably in instructing English solicitors, the Scottish High Court has ruled.
Vodafone becomes first client to join Greener Litigation movement
Vodafone has become the first client to sign up to Greener Litigation, joining law firms, chambers and others in committing to reduce the environmental impact of dispute resolution.
Court of Appeal: No implied duty of good faith in solicitor’s retainer
There is no implied duty of good faith in a solicitor’s retainer, the Court of Appeal has ruled in rejecting an appeal by a law firm trying to recover £3m in fees from a former client.
Claim against law firm lost by court still thrown out for late service
The High Court has upheld a decision to throw out a negligence claim against a law firm because it was served too late – even though the court had actually lost the claim.
Judge overrides Essex firm’s objections to move case to Leeds
The liaison judge for the Administrative Court in the north has rejected an appeal from an Essex law firm that said it was not “convenient” for a case to be transferred from London to Leeds.
Solicitor found in criminal contempt for “act of colossal stupidity”
A senior City partner who told a client to “burn” a private messaging app after it was served with a search order has been found guilty of criminal contempt of court.
Claim against solicitors was attempt to relitigate private prosecution
A professional negligence claim against a firm of solicitors in the North-East has been thrown out as an attempt to relitigate an unsuccessful private prosecution.
High Court upholds ruling that $3m CFA is unforceable
The High Court has upheld a decision that a law firm which charged its client nearly $3m under an unenforceable conditional fee agreement has to repay the money.
Court criticises leading City firm for major e-disclosure failure
A High Court judge has criticised City law firm Fieldfisher for its failings in overseeing an e-disclosure exercise where 800,000 documents were missed, leading to a trial being adjourned for two years.
Barristers should avoid “supportive” comments after winning cases
Barristers who win cases on behalf of causes they back should avoid making “supportive” comments or risk undermining their independence, the vice-chair of the Bar Council has warned.
Litigation funding “explosion” driving class actions across Europe
The “explosive growth” of litigation funding is behind an increase in class actions across Europe over the past two years, a report by the law firm CMS has argued.
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.
