Court of Appeal criticises 'staggering' £44m costs in Nigeria arbitration row
Lord Justice Males suggests 'sampling' approach to assess fraction of the 95,000 items claimed for in long-running litigation.
Two out of three firms approached by private equity investors
Nearly a quarter of mid-sized firms are actively considering a share offering, research suggests.
SRA hit with £50,000 costs order after botched prosecution
Tribunal says SRA investigator was ‘evasive’ and ‘combative’ at times during cross-examination.
In depth: Iranian lawyers vulnerable amid 'campaign of terror'
A shocking new report lays bare the ‘machinery of repression’ and systemic persecution that Iranian lawyers face, but what can the international legal community realistically do?
Nightingale era over, says Sackman as four sites go permanent
Former court buildings in Fleetwood, Telford, Chichester and Cirencester – used as Nightingale Courts since the pandemic - will now become permanent fixtures.
Action needed to save City, says lobby group
UK cannot afford to be complacent amid falling output and productivity and fundamental global changes.
Third solicitor faces SDT over Mail sting
Immigration practitioner denies telling undercover reporter that marriage would help asylum claim.
In-house lawyers say whistleblowing guidance is 'unworkable'
Advice issued last October 'falls short in a number of areas and risks exacerbating current problems'.
LAA cyber attack: MPs demand answers on compensation
Concerns were raised about clarity and adequacy of emergency funding arrangements in submissions to justice committee's access to justice inquiry.
In depth: SRA on the ropes over alleged SLAPPs after third defeat
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is licking its wounds over three failed SLAPP prosecutions. Yet amid possible appeals and ‘eye-watering’ costs, the case for new legislation has gained momentum.
'Don’t laugh, he’s better than you'
I heard some great (and lesser) solicitor advocates in magistrates’ courts.
'Impecunious' former Fieldfisher clients must pay £1.5m in fees
International firm was instructed by siblings to provide legal services on a contentious probate claim over an eight-month period.
Magistrate 'aggressively criticised' judicial training course
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office says the office-holder’s behaviour amounted to misconduct.
MBE for legal aid royalty
The Solicitors’ Charity trustee Audrey Ludwig collects her MBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle.
High Court splits ex-postmaster Castleton’s fraud claim
Former sub-postmaster Lee Castleton alleges that 2019 group settlement was agreed based on ‘untrue’ statements.
'Hotshot' hair and the spare
Press photographers camped outside the side entrance to the Royal Courts of Justice this week, to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry.
No solicitors in latest annual silk round
Law Society says it is ‘extremely disappointed’ with latest KC list.
Law lecturer brings action against student over 'sex-for-marks' defamation
Case will proceed to trial following High Court ruling on meaning of email to university staff.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer focuses on United States
'Novel convergence of pressures' on US legal profession 'merits sustained scrutiny,' says coalition.
Wheelchair user inspired by his own case to pursue law career
Sammy Rehman told his lawyers as a child he wanted to follow them into the legal profession.
Treasury urged to rethink on tax adviser registration
Council for Licensed Conveyancers says tightly regulated members are not permitted to give tax advice.
Exhibition showcases frontline lawyers
'On the Front Line for Justice', in the Law Society library, is open until 20 March.
Motor injury claims fall to lowest level on record
Latest Compensation Recovery Unit figures suggest any notion of a compensation culture is increasingly outdated.
Judicial diversity strategy targets High Court and Court of Appeal
Action plan acknowledges progress made to improve diversity not reflected in senior judiciary.
Former minister joins bar as conduct commissioner
New role was one of Baroness Harman’s recommendations in her independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
Legal executives in limbo amid authorisation delays
CILEx Regulation says process of obtaining practising rights takes nine weeks on average - practitioners disagree.
Swift courts 'will save only 2% of Crown court time'
Institute for Government analysis casts doubt on time estimates put forward by ministers to justify curbing jury trials.
Strike-off for failing to verify known client's ID in person
Meeting a client in person is ‘fundamental’ to certification process, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal rules.
Trainee solicitors 'invisible' as most omitted from big firms' websites
Marketing agency says it is disheartening for hard-working trainees to not be publicly acknowledged.
Brooklyn Beckham bombshell takes a legal turn
Have David and Victoria instructed solicitors over their estranged son? Er, no.
Sentencing remarks offered free to victims
Lord chancellor says free access to judges' sentencing remarks 'will embolden victims to look back on their bravery’.
No date in the diary for non-judges to hear asylum appeals
New body of professional adjudicators announced last summer to clear backlog of appeals.
'Like Russia and Belarus' ECHR argument a fallacy, thinktank argues
'It’s a "Here be dragons” argument, devoid of serious meaning', writes Labour former lord chancellor Jack Straw.
Solicitor banned for certifying documents online
Director of certification service claimed that documents uploaded to website counted as originals.
Solicitor's failed GDPR case costs him over £500,000
Practitioner ordered to pay costs both to a costs judge and The Transcription Agency.
Zahawi solicitor overturns SDT's conviction over 'without prejudice' email
Decision was ‘insufficiently analysed and reasoned, vitiated by misdirection and error of law, and unfair’, High Court rules.
Government seeks ‘tougher’ regulation of claims firms by SRA
Justice minister says consumers should receive clear and timely information about funding arrangements.
'Bona vacantia' list back online - but fraud concerns remain
Suspension of the official list of unclaimed estates followed allegations that information on the list had helped criminals create fake wills.
Memory lane
ABS reform red tape and breathalyser offences: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Costs slashed and appeal permission refused in Brazil dam claim
Judge acknowleges ‘dedicated work by many lawyers and experts' but describes costs as 'extraordinarily high'.
Unclaimed £3.7m from class action to fund free legal advice
Access to Justice Foundation establishes new grants programme to redistribute unclaimed damages to frontline advice organisations.
Profits climb as ULaw adapts to 'fragmentation' of solicitor training
University of Law has nearly 4% of the undergraduate law market and is capitalising on the popularity of apprenticeships.
City solicitor who lied about having cancer struck off
Lawyer ‘compounded his initial lie with further acts of dishonesty’, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal finds.
Council lawyers will not intervene in Mazur
Lawyers in Local Government says unique role of members cannot be properly addressed in appeal.
In depth: Kirsty Brimelow KC’s priorities as bar chair
A fairer allocation of briefs to women barristers is one of Kirsty Brimelow KC’s 12 priorities as bar chair. Protecting lawyers from abuse and intimidation is also high on her agenda.
Messing about in boats
January is a time for sailors to check if their oilskins still fit them ahead of a busy 2026 season for the Law Society Yacht Club.
Out with the old
Hardly a mystery worthy of Endeavour Morse, but a minor dispute has emerged over which law firm can lay claim to being the oldest in Oxfordshire.
Senior president of tribunals warns of increased abuse towards judges
Lord Justice Dingemans also reveals a potential date for the Home Office’s plans for a body of assessors in asylum appeals.
Who’s better, who’s best
Hoary debate about the relative status of solicitors and barristers – and whether there is a hierarchy – reared up again this week.
Employment judge created 'hostile environment' in hearing
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said the judge apologised ‘if he had appeared sharp’ but denied shouting.
Exodus of top judges continues as Lord Reed announces retirement
Lord Reed, already the longest-serving president of the Supreme Court, will step down in 2027.
Trainee learns sign language to make legal services accessible
Elysia Shirley pledged to support deaf community after witnessing someone struggle to communicate with emergency services.
Solicitor who tried to involve junior in dishonesty is struck off
Legal executive reported matter to partner as she felt uncomfortable about email exchanges.
In depth: MPs grill Sackman over contradictory messages on jury trial curbs
Courts minister took a buffeting from the Commons justice committee over whether the reforms will apply retrospectively. MPs also want to see the modelling.
Lawyers need protection from persecution – Law Society report
Report illustrates how lawyers face intimidation and harassment for speaking out in support of equal access to justice and human rights.
Stop referencing fake case citations, judges warned
Practice risks embedding bogus ‘authorities’ as precedents, creating a growing body of misinformation.
Serial fare dodger loses Mazur challenge in court
Judge finds lay prosecutors have rights of audience through ‘practice and convention’.
SFO director Nick Ephgrave to step down early
First non-lawyer to lead the agency says it is ‘time to draw a close’ on nearly four decades in public life.
City firm gives new parents six months' leave on full pay
HR chief says firm wants to create a more equal and inclusive environment for all parents.
British public backs collective actions - opinion poll
Hausfeld urges government to launch public information campaign to raise awareness.
SFO can pursue unpaid £2m DPA penalty, High Court finds
Scientific instrument maker Güralp Systems Ltd failed to pay £2,069,861 stipulated in deferred prosecution agreement.
Jenrick replaced as shadow justice secretary by Nick Timothy
Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
King's Bench chief latest leading judge to announce retirement
Departure of three leadership judges in 2026 presents a challenge to the Judicial Appointments Commission.
Home secretary insists non-judges in asylum appeals will be independent
Home secretary says First-Tier tribunal cannot sustainably manage scale and nature of current caseload.
Solicitors’ withdrawal no excuse for missing budget deadline, rules court
Judge says there was no good reason for defendant not being aware of crucial deadline.
UK branch of leading Chinese firm closes and files for administration
SRA register confirms Zhong Lun is in the process of closing in England.
Court orders document return after firm sent wrong files to opponent
Files included confidential and privileged information that defendant wanted to keep.
Carter-Ruck partner pursues SRA for £1m over failed ‘SLAPP’ case
Regulator warns that ‘eye-watering’ costs order would have a ‘chilling’ effect on its ability to go after media lawyers.
Jury curbs could apply to cases awaiting trial, minister tells MPs
Sarah Sackman says some cases currently in the system could be heard by a judge in the 'swift court'.
Lammy hikes JAC chair's pay by 30%
Lord chancellor decides to relaunch recruitment campaign for top post at quango for appointing judges.
DJ's 'racially pejorative' comment leads to formal advice
District judge apologised but investigation found the comment was ‘not respectful of the defendant or their appearance’.
Sackman faces MPs amid rumours jury curbs will be 'watered down'
Officials reportedly revisiting proposals for 'swift courts' and magistrates sitting alongside judge to hear cases.
Former criminal bar chief fails with disbarment appeal
Mr Justice Choudhury finds tribunal was entitled to sanction Jo Sidhu KC as it did for sexual misconduct.
Solicitor denies stalking court observer following Law Society lunches
Stratford Magistrates’ Court hears that the defendant allegedly sent more than 120 emails and letters.
Solicitor cleared but paralegal barred over misleading emails
Solicitor had denied authorising misleading emails about conveyancing transactions.
Government pressed to rule out fixed costs for housing cases
MoJ has ruled out any change until at least 2028, but should the exemption go further?
Criminal defence firm develops training and exam in client care
Managing director says accreditation reflects unique care that must be paid to clients whose liberty or reputation is at risk.
Put your trust in juries – not Lammy
Abolishing juries will result in another crack in the social fabric.
New bar chair seeks solicitor backing for fairer allocation of briefs
In her inaugural speech, Kirsty Brimelow KC outlined 12 priorities - including addressing the earnings gap and protecting lawyers from abuse.
Oxfordshire’s oldest law firm set to disappear in takeover
HMG Law, which dates from 1838, is to be acquired by top 100 outfit RWK Goodman.
Ward Hadaway posts record income but profits stall
Top-100 full-service firm continues to make progress towards goal of doubling in size over the next decade.
High Court dismisses appeal in nil costs assessment
Judge finds ‘no doubt that there is no room for a claim in unjust enrichment’ under conditional fee agreement.
Searing Sumption treads the boards
Can democracy survive? Jonathan Sumption will let you know in person if you have a couple of hours to spare this week.
Underlying profits rise at Knights - along with redundancy costs
Listed national firm also reveals that 'churn' of fee-earner staff has more than halved in a year.
Master of the rolls announces retirement
Sir Geoffrey Vos, 70, is to retire on 31 October after five years in the role.
Solicitor cleared of telling client to fabricate defence in cricket match-fixing case
No evidence to show that criminal lawyer Shahid Ali encouraged his client, a former professional cricketer, to lie.
Bill found to repeal 'presumption of parental contact'
Celebratory event hosted by Right to Equality given update on family court reform.
20 things for solicitors to look out for in 2026
Imperialism, SLAPPs, juries, PACCAR, Mazur and more.
Employment tribunal judge sanctioned over late orders
Judicial watchdog says the judge had written to the complainants in both cases and apologised for the delay.
'Moral clarity and compassion': Former family chief Munby dies at 77
Tributes pour in to Sir James Munby, former president of the Family Division, who died suddenly on new year’s day.