Litigation/Dispute Resolution


Solicitor can sue ex-firm for misuse of private WhatsApp messages

11 January 2023

The High Court has rejected a law firm owner’s attempt to “stifle” a misuse of private information claim by a junior solicitor he dismissed by applying to have her case struck out.


Costs lawyers call for revived remuneration certificate procedure

11 January 2023

The Association of Costs Lawyers has proposed working with the Law Society and Legal Ombudsman to revive a 1990s procedure as an alternative way for clients to challenge smaller solicitors’ bills.


Work done in Scotland does not save law firm from claim in England

6 January 2023

A Scottish law firm with no presence in England can be sued for negligence south of the border over advice given by a dual-qualified solicitor on plans for a Cornish wind farm, the High Court has ruled.


Judge orders law firm in web copy dispute to pay indemnity costs

5 January 2023

A Bradford law firm has been ordered to pay indemnity costs after failing to obtain a court order forcing a rival firm to reveal who provided it with identical website copy.


Judge warns solicitors over witness statement compliance certificates

4 January 2023

The High Court has issued a stark warning to solicitors who sign a certificate of compliance on non-compliant witness statements so their clients can have their day in court.


Supreme Court: Law firm waived equitable lien with new retainer

3 January 2023

A law firm waived its equitable lien when it replaced its original retainer with a fixed-fee agreement (FFA) and deed of charge over the client’s assets, the Supreme Court has ruled.


Non-party condemned by recorder was victim of “unlawful judicial act”

20 December 2022

A non-party to a property dispute, condemned in his absence by a recorder for dishonest conspiracy, was the victim of an “unlawful judicial act” which breached his human rights, the High Court has ruled.


£600k awareness campaign for Mastercard class action goes live

9 December 2022

A £600,000 print and digital advertising campaign to draw public attention to the landmark £17bn Mastercard class action began yesterday.


Listed legal business hints at ditching litigation funding arm after losses

6 December 2022

Shares in RBG Holdings PLC – which owns law firms Rosenblatt and Memery Crystal – dived by 23% yesterday after having to write off £4m because of its litigation funding arm.


Wait time for county court trials reaches new all-time high

6 December 2022

The time between issue and trial for fast- and multi-track claims has now exceeded 75 weeks, the longest this century, according to the latest government figures.


BSB mulls SLAPPs guidance as Zahawi’s solicitors are referred to SRA

5 December 2022

The BSB is considering following the SRA in issuing guidance on SLAPPs. It comes as the solicitors acting for Conservative Party chairman Nadeem Zahawi have been reported under the SRA notice.


Court green lights inheritance claim despite solicitor’s limitation error

2 December 2022

A woman whose solicitors’ error meant she was too late to challenge her mother’s will has been given permission to bring her action out of time.


SRA wins £120k grant to support tech-enabled dispute resolution

1 December 2022

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been awarded a £120,000 government grant to explore ways to increase the use of technology-enabled dispute resolution.


CAT rebukes City law firms for going around class action representative

30 November 2022

Two City law firms acting for the defendants in a £150m class action have been rebuked by the Competition Appeal Tribunal for writing directly to class members.


Warning for profession, help for public – SRA steps up SLAPPs pressure

29 November 2022

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is now investigating 29 cases where law firms might be involved in SLAPPs, it revealed yesterday as it issued a warning notice over such abusive litigation.

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Blog


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