'Stop dragging your feet': Society's criminal legal aid demand ahead of Chalk meeting
Chancery Lane to meet lord chancellor three months after High Court handed down judgment on decision-making process.
Court shows mercy on application three minutes before deadline
Lawyers for company in administration wanted a last-ditch extension to an unless order.
Disaplinary breach
The SDT needs to have a word with its sign-writer.
Post Office lawyer 'silenced’ widow through incentive payments
Public inquiry hears that lawyer drafted NDA with deceased sub-postmaster’s family to prevent publicity.
The week in 60 seconds - digested news
A round-up of the week’s news.
SRA seeks to protect client anonymity at SDT
There is a public interest in maintaining legal professional privilege at the expense of open justice, counsel for regulator tells the High Court.
Lawyers held back damning advice from me, says former Post Office director
Convictions were deemed to be potentially unsafe - but that was not relayed to top brass, public inquiry hears.
Law Society calls for civil legal aid increase over unrepresented parties in family court
Society president says more action is needed as ‘rise in litigants in person [creates] further pressure on system already in crisis’.
SQE results fiasco: £250 'goodwill payment' on its way
Regulator says payment not in lieu of compensation and candidates will be reimbursed for losses incurred.
Legal privilege used to ‘cloak’ messages, key Post Office figure admits
Public inquiry sees lawyer’s emailed instruction to ‘structure’ documents to invoke privilege.
Magistrate who ‘ranted loudly’ at court staff issued with formal warning
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office says the office holder apologised at the time over ‘comments which were considered inappropriate or threatening’.
Claim for £68m dismissed as losses ‘were not attributable to firm’s alleged negligence’
High Court also refuses amendments to claim, centred on a failed investment scheme, against another firm which ‘lacked clarity and coherence’.
Solicitors furious over ‘heavy-handed’ pat-downs
London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association complains to HM Courts & Tribunals Service about ’invasive’ searches.
PI lawyers urge ‘case-by-case’ approach to court documents access
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers responds to consultation on giving non-parties more access to court documents.
Memory lane
Heralding the ‘Wi-Fi era’, a supreme vision for a new court, and a solicitor in the Grand National: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Echoes of Escobar and a morality tale
Brother of late (alleged) Colombian drug lord brings trade mark appeal.
Supreme Court allows government appeal over ‘limbo’ asylum seeker
Court finds secretary of state’s decision over Belarussian’s status ‘struck a fair balance’ between his individual rights and general interest of community.
SRA fights costs order in ‘flawed from top to bottom’ prosecution
Solicitors Regulation Authority argues SDT’s £74,950 order should not have been made as case was not improperly brought.
Government reviewer hails ‘enormous benefits’ of early disclosure for criminal justice
Jonathan Fisher KC publishes preliminary findings of Home Office-commissioned review of disclosure and fraud offences.
Bar gender pay gap has little to do with caring responsibilities
Women paid significantly less than men from beginning of their career and gap cannot be explained by practice area either.
Judge’s delayed ruling leads to formal advice
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office finds 18 months between hearing and judgment amounted to misconduct.
In-house dilemmas: Society seeks input from practitioners
New Law Society resource, the ethical practice framework, will help in-house lawyers navigate challenges.
Post Office latest: Former top lawyer blames firm for disclosure failure
Follow our live blog from the public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal
SRA opts against fining solicitor for drink-drive conviction
Elements of case had similar features to one which resulted in a £14,000 fine.
Post Office chief Vennells complained that GC put professional integrity ‘above the business’
Susan Crichton was left waiting outside board meeting to discuss damaging forensic accountant's report, inquiry hears.
Judges 'apprehensive' about security, Family Division president tells MPs
Sir Andrew McFarlane suggests security arrangements in criminal and family courts should be equally tight.
Shorthand trumps tech
No matter how smart the tech is, sometimes it simply does not work.
Post Office GC wanted to ‘box off’ Horizon probe, inquiry hears
Lawyers were also worried that opening an investigation might be ‘exploited’ by victims.
Litigation funding review: first report this summer
Civil Justice Council will examine sector 'with a view to ensuring fair and proportionate access to justice for all'.
Free advocacy for alleged victims of rape among Labour's justice plans
Shadow lord chancellor sets out ideas - but cannot promise more money for legal aid.
'Defective, constitutionally improper' Rwanda bill to become law
Attention will now shift to the 25 courtrooms and 150 judges Rishi Sunak announced yesterday to deal with appeals.
Academic wins damages from ex-colleague in case highlighting 'toxic' use of social media
Confidential details and a deleted Facebook screenshot were shared by Huddersfield law lecturer.
Electronic tagging: Lords committee criticises MoJ for not mentioning DPAs
Secondary legislation scrutiny committee told about deferred prosecution agreements after requesting supplementary information.
Post Office Inquiry live: Former GC Susan Crichton gives evidence
Follow our live blog from the Post Office Inquiry.
In depth: Transgender athletes and sporting 'integrity' - lawyers divided
The controversial topic of transgender participation in women’s sport was discussed at the recent LawAccord conference. Speakers were – perhaps unsurprisingly – deeply divided on next steps.
'Unreasonable' apprentice-solicitor ordered to pay tribunal costs
Judge finds ‘just and proper’ to make costs order for brief fee incurred by Mishcon de Reya in employment tribunal hearing.
SRA appeals over costs of failed prosecution
Solicitors Regulation Authority, appealing against £74,950 costs order by Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, claim 20% of costs were not validly claimed.
Judge dismisses case against activist who held up placard on jurors’ rights
High Court finds Solicitor General’s case 'does not disclose a reasonable basis for committal', and that Trudi Warner’s conduct did not amount to contempt.
Sunak: 150 judges ready to hear Rwanda appeals
PM says judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.
Firms with roots in the north west target national expansion
Firms plan to expand into new areas after establishing bases in Liverpool and Manchester.
Ten conveyancing firms accused over failed property development
High Court rules on application brought by north-west firm Vincents Solicitors to strike out negligence claim lodged by 35 claimants.
‘Popular’ employee at high street firm was constructively dismissed
Working relationship between accredited police station rep and one of the firm’s partners was at ‘heart’ of proceedings.
Special investigation: Greater Family Court transparency puts expert witnesses in the spotlight
In conjunction with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Hannah Summers analyses a case that raises questions about unregulated specialists.
'Bitcoin identity' trial Rolls on
A brief encore to Mr Justice Mellor’s triumphant performance in COPA v Wright.
SRA to update SLAPPs guidance following file review
Law firms need 'checks and balances' when instructing third parties such as PR firms and private investigators, regulator says.
Post Office lawyers warned of ‘red rag’ if Horizon faults came out
Rodric Williams is asked whether he discharged his duties as a solicitor at all times.
Does £250 cut it? Picking up the pieces from the SQE1 marking debacle
Kaplan and the SRA have told 175 aspiring solicitors who ‘failed’ SQE1 that they actually passed. An apology and £250 are on offer to candidates who saw their futures in law apparently wiped away.
The week in 60 seconds - digested news
A round-up of the week’s news.
Court of Appeal allows single claim form in law firm negligence action
Master of the Rolls suggests CPRC take 'another look' at the current rules to assess 'whether they are working well'.
Post Office Inquiry live: head of legal faces grilling from victims' lawyers
Follow our live blog from the Post Office Inquiry.
Fixed costs in clinical negligence claims set for October
Draft rules yet to be published but officials working towards autumn date.
Solicitor misled clients as case ‘spiralled away’ from him
Veteran practitioner left his firm immediately after telling clients their claim was defunct.
Suspended sentence for ex-solicitor convicted of fraud
Judge says former solicitor expressed genuine remorse and offence was committed out of desperation.
‘Deliberately high level’ SFO strategy looks to AI
Serious Fraud Office director Nick Ephgrave says plan ‘describes the aspirations we have', but solicitors are cautious.
Post Office lawyer advised withholding documents, inquiry hears
Solicitor now deciding on compensation issues described questions about Horizon IT system as ‘puerile’.
Trade union law 'incompatible' with ECHR, Supreme Court rules
Enquiry may be needed following judgment in ‘the most important industrial action case for decades’.
YouGov Legal Needs survey suggests solicitors losing market share
One in seven blamed their legal problem on the cost-of-living crisis - and one in 20 on Brexit, quadrennial bellwether also finds.
Profits climb at listed law firm as ‘war for talent’ subsides
Keystone Law ‘very gratified’ to see recruitment return to pre-pandemic levels.
Post Office Inquiry live: solicitors on the spot
Follow our live blog from the Post Office Inquiry.
Betting disputes on the rise as gambling addicts seek lawyers
Firm recoups millions for vulnerable people and is concerned women are being targeted.
Of alibis and advocacy
I don’t think I ever encountered a professional alibi witness, but I certainly knew a man who was a professional mitigator.
Solicitor accused of misleading SDT fined £30,000 despite being cleared of most charges
Solicitors Discplinary Tribunal finds allegations of dishonesty and recklessness were not proved in case involving ‘hardworking solicitor’.
44 and out for Darryl
Litigation executive Darryl Barnes retires 44 years after first stepping through the doors at Leamington Spa firm Blythe, Owen George & Co.
Hugh Grant phone hacking claim scuppered by Part 36 risk
Actor says that the potential £10m costs burden - even in the event of winning - was too much to handle.
SDT told of hearing difficulties in ‘misleading’ submissions case
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal told ‘common feature’ of case against lawyer accused of financial arrangements with clients was a request for help.
Church of England steps into leasehold reform debate
Bishop of Manchester argues charities should be exempt from the abolition of marriage value.
Negligence claim must go to trial
Bulk of construction magnate’s action against Clyde & Co and counsel over investment scheme fails.
Smooth ride for PACCAR bill in Lords
Issue of retrospectivity discussed at second reading of Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill.
Claimant firms go head to head in ASDA action
Leigh Day and Keller Postman unable to agree over disclosure of documents.
Family judges will return to robes in safety pilot
Three-month pilot follows concerns over ‘violent and threatening behaviour experienced by judges and court users’.
The friendly kind of lively
Obiter was intrigued to read the minutes for last month’s SRA board meeting.
SQE marking fiasco: training contract warning for 'fast-rescinding' employers
City of London Law Society training committee says impact on candidates wrongly told they failed Solicitors Qualifying Examination will be significant.
Litigators raise concerns over court document access plans
Practicality as well as unintended consequences questioned.
No 'absolute right' to manifest religious beliefs, prayer-ban judge rules
High Court says Michaela Community Schools Trust prohibition on prayer rituals does not infringe Article 9 of ECHR.
'Misleading' mitigation leads to return date with SDT
SDT panel told that solicitor allowed ‘misleading submissions’ to be made on his behalf in relation to loans to clients.
Discount rate not a 'hypothetical maths problem', PI lawyers tell government
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers responds to MoJ's call for evidence on reforms to discount rate.
Lawyer cleared of contempt after ‘boozy’ night led to false PI claim
Legal executive did not knowingly mislead over untrue statement in whiplash claim, High Court rules.
Barrister suspended for lying over whereabouts of lost case files
Bar Standards Board says barrister in ‘not being candid…risks undermining public confidence in the profession’.
In depth: Toon barmy - Newcastle's vibrant legal scene
Showcasing a region: Newcastle is a growing hub of increasingly diverse legal services – and opportunities for solicitors.
SQE marking fiasco: 175 candidates wrongly told they failed exam
Solicitors Regulation Authority 'really disappointed' and conducting review with assessment provider Kaplan.
Mergers announced across the country as firm numbers fall
New round of acquisitions and mergers as firms expand their operations to new geographic regions.
Firm pledges full support to lawyer over online divorce mistake
Court decision is the kind that makes people run from the profession, Vardags founder says.
Bookkeeper’s bid to lift restriction fails in the SDT
Applicant argued he was not given a fair hearing by the SRA adjudicator.
'CILEX is not a representative body', members told at SGM
President tells members they cannot influence how and by whom they are regulated and governed.
A glorious run comes to an end
Final episode of US sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm plays out in a courtroom.
In depth: Landmark ECtHR climate claims fail but activists hail 'fundamental change'
But have they changed the climate change justice discourse?
Sentencing adjourned for ex-solicitor convicted of fraud following listings mistake
‘Even in the best run organisations occasionally mistakes are made and that, unfortunately, seems to have happened here,’ Old Bailey judge says.
SRA to be probed over SSB collapse
Legal Services Board broadens scope of inquiry into failure of Axiom Ince.
‘I didn’t realise we prosecuted sub-postmasters,’ former Post Office MD admits
Alan Cook tells inquiry he had not realised Post Office had the power to handle theft and false accounting cases.
Exclusive: UK Lawyers for Israel issues fresh riposte over call for sanctions
Six former Supreme Court justices have weighed into the legal argument, three on each side.