Campaigners urge CPS to remove 'drill music' from guidance on gang-related offences
Academic research on consequences for young black men and children prompts fresh call for use of rap music as evidence to be curbed.
LLP and Partnership Law: A legal and practical guide
by Jeremy Callman, Corinne Staves, Elspeth Berry and Naomi Winston.
‘I didn’t come here to lie’: Post Office solicitor denies evidence cover-up
Jarnail Singh said he did not know about Horizon bugs in 2010 - but he was emailed details.
EXCLUSIVE: 'I felt I was fighting for my life': Stratford duty solicitor describes being pinned down by court security
Gazette speaks to duty solicitor involved in Stratford Magistrates' Court incident - who says he does not feel safe to return.
SRA warns of ‘improper practices’ in mass claims sector
Warning notice and guidance follows discussions with financial services regulators.
Exclusive: judges take action to improve court security
Group of senior judges and HM Courts & Tribunals Service officials set up in response to assault on Judge Perusko last year.
Post Office live: Former head of criminal Jarnail Singh worried about brand reputation
Follow our live blog from the public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Post Office lawyers held secret meeting with judge to stop disclosure
Solicitor also admits he failed to comply with his duties in handling expert witnesses.
Neurodivergent lawyers let down across legal sector, finds survey
New poll finds high levels of discrimination and reluctance to be open about neurodiversity.
Legally Come Dancing
Furnival Chambers is hosting Return of the Glitterball in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
In depth: Probate modernisation can't happen until 37-year-old rules are updated
With the Probate Registry set to handle a projected 350,000 applications a year, modernisation of the process is increasingly urgent. But digitisation is contingent on updating 37-year-old rules.
‘Dine and dash’ solicitor struck off over £60 Harvester bill
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal says a strike-off was the ‘only appropriate sanction’ to deal with the convicted fraudster.
Council had no duty to prevent psychiatric harm
Wokingham Borough Council obtains charging order as appeal throws out taxi driver's claim.
Solicitor ‘injured’ in incident with court security officers
London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association demands ‘immediate suspension’ of all court security staff involved.
Independent BSB? That's for us to decide, Bar Council tells MPs
Justice committee raised suggestion of formal separation of representative and regulatory arms of the bar in a letter to the lord chancellor.
Profits edge up as NAHL pushes more enquiries to in-house law firm
Listed company behind National Accident Helpline brand is focusing on expanding its integrated practice National Accident Law.
Post Office live: Solicitor said disclosure may give victims 'ticket to the Court of Appeal'
Follow our live blog from the public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Post Office solicitor rejected ‘grumbling’ defence disclosure requests
Martin Smith took a robust stance on disclosure in belief that IT system was safe, public inquiry hears.
Solicitor strung along client for 16 years with false case updates
Experienced Slater and Gordon solicitor created false story about arbitration awards and defendant appeal.
Private equity snaps up Slater Heelis
Blixt builds on collection of regional hub firms with acquisition of established Manchester outfit, as Leeds media and sports outfit sells up to Midlands practice.
21st century justice: Society proposes publicly funded online legal guidance tool
Interim report of 21st Century Justice Project lists 'actionable simple ways' to future-proof justice system.
Bridge too far for jumpers
Bridge jumping was once a fashionable sport in both England and America. It was viewed with disdain by the judiciary on both sides of the water.
‘Public access barrister’ practised while suspended
Bar Standards Board says disbarment shows ‘seriousness of misconduct as well as repeated nature of failures to comply with regulatory obligations’.
New board to ‘modernise approach to open justice’
Lady chief justice tells editors they play a vital role - but warns personal criticism of judges is not acceptable.
Post Office live: Solicitor playing key role in prosecutions gives evidence
Barrister and solicitor formerly with the Post Office's go-to prosecutions firm Cartwright King give evidence to public inquiry.
SRA fines sole practitioner £5,000 over accounts failings
Solicitors Regulation Authority says the 'recurring issues…over a significant period of time' had the 'potential to cause harm to the firm’s clients'.
Firm to pay costs of hearing sought by confused LiP
Solicitors 'should have been aware they were dealing with a vulnerable litigant in person', district judge says.
Maiden victory parade is world’s first
Law Society Yacht Club highlight was the chance to cheer yacht as it arrived home after 27,000-mile Ocean Globe.
Lawyer warned of giving ‘ammunition’ to Post Office victims
Inquiry into Horizon scandal hears that Post Office solicitor was determined that prosecutions should go on.
Losses mount at Rosenblatt owner after 'challenging' year
Shares in stockmarket-listed RBG Holdings, which expects business to improve in 2024, are trading at a fifth of their price 12 months ago.
Oversight regulator promises ‘pro-innovation’ approach to AI
'We are applying an AI lens across the breadth of our work', Legal Services Board tells ministers.
Competition watchdog unveils guidance for unregulated legal providers
Competition and Markets Authority says businesses providing will-writing and online divorce should not make misleading comparisons with solicitors.
Partner promotions dip at Clifford Chance
New promotions announced by Clifford Chance and Kennedys will take effect on 1 May.
Bail hearings become remote by default
Lord chancellor says operational change will save judges and lawyers valuable time.
Post Office live: Barrister and former head of legal face questions
Follow our live blog from the public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal.
'Technical amendments' as government plugs gaps in PACCAR bill
Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill passes through committee stage in House of Lords.
CILEX enters homebuying information pack row
CILEX says sellers should be required to provide material information - but action group says requirement will expose sellers to legal liabilities.
In depth: In conversation with the head of the GLD
As the Government Legal Department unveils its three-year business strategy, Treasury solicitor Susanna McGibbon expands on its goals of becoming a national GLD while offering rewarding careers.
Post Office probe gets intimate
Malapropism highlighted in last week’s hearing prompts snorts of amusement.
Companies owned by Axiom Ince boss go down with £3m debts
Two companies solely owned by Pragnesh Modhwadia made subject to winding up resolutions.
Government hints at action on ‘unregulated experts’
Commitment on use of regulated psychologists in Family Court follows Gazette article.
Rule changes steer families towards non-court dispute resolution
Parents will be informed of various mediation models and judges can ask parties to set out their views on non-court dispute resolution.
Probate manager jailed for taking £640k from wills
Trusted member of staff targeted wills from which few family members were due to benefit.
CoA judges concerned at Arctic cruise couple’s 11 days in court
Claimants urged to settle and told 'the time has come when they would benefit from professional legal advice’.
Firm leading claims against MoD dismisses bankruptcy talk
Hilary Meredith Solicitors says funding has been secured to stay in business.
In depth: Post Office Inquiry shocks even the cynical
Two former general counsel and a head of legal appeared at the Post Office Horizon Inquiry last week. What was revealed shocked even the cynical – and there is a lot more to come yet.
Judges primed for a turf war?
Did the prime minister’s statement on his plans to ‘stop the boats’ spark a constitutional row with HM Judiciary?
'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.