Junior solicitor banned for lies about briefcase left on a train
Practitioner had qualified for less than a year when she lied to her firm about what had happened to sensitive documents.
High Court ruling backs claimants in VW emissions litigation
Diesel engines did contain a defeat device, Mr Justice Waksman finds in judgment on preliminary issues.
China could face Covid claims running into trillions
UK courts could hear claims over failure to follow international regulations, thinktank says.
Solicitor representing 17-year-old attacks 'unnecessary' coronavirus risk
Teenager was one of a group of people arrested for being in enclosed premises.
David Lammy replaces Burgon as shadow justice secretary
Shami Chakrabarti also out as Tony Blair's former lord chancellor Lord Falconer takes shadow AG role.
Dechert partners accused of Gulf torture
A Jordanian lawyer alleges he was kidnapped and placed in solitary confinement for 560 days during investigation.
Salmond’s QC to resign as Scottish bar chief
Gordon Jackson QC plans to resign as dean of the Faculty of Advocates at the end of June.
Listed Rosenblatt owner postpones dividend
Firm operating at ‘normal capacity’ despite shutting London and Manchester offices.
Kerb chore enthusiasm
McDonald’s may have closed its drive-thru (sic) restaurants for the duration of the pandemic, but a north-east law firm has decided now is the perfect time to open up a roadside facility.
Shear class
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Santa banter
While those who thought to buy Zoom shares can presumably retire now, the rest of us must carry on working if we can – many of us from home.
Bench jury trials for the lockdown
The outcry against the idea of three-day jury trials during the lockdown was justified. Would jurors, sitting in what seem generally to be regarded as insanitary conditions, have become vulnerable after only 21 hours in court plus a few hours in their room?
Lawyer in the news: Anthony Metzer QC, Goldsmith Chambers
Anthony Metzer QC, Goldsmith Chambers, London.
SRA staying silent on law school pass rates
Regulator again refuses to reveal details of individual law schools after the Gazette submitted an information request.
News focus: what Morrisons means for vicarious liability
Despite Morrisons’ victory in the Supreme Court last week over the actions of a disgruntled employee, the ruling did not entirely extinguish the threat to businesses from vicarious liability.
Legal aid support package to help lawyers 'weather the coronavirus pandemic'
Law Society welcomes measures but says significantly more needs to be done to help criminal defence community.
Ely Place Chambers to close in July
London set ‘deeply saddened’ to shut down after almost 20 years.
Police and legal chiefs agree Covid-19 interview protocol
Guidance states that legal advice for suspects should take place over the phone or video-link whenever possible.
City firms pledge £85,000 to save law centres from closure
Several law centres have sufficient reserves for only four to eight weeks.
Rules finally amended to extend time for civil procedures
Parties now have 56 days to file documents and make applications without seeking court permission.
Norton Rose Fulbright proposes shorter week and lower pay
City firm asks staff to reduce their working week by 20% in response to coronavirus.
Chancellor lowers bar to emergency loans for small firms
Requirement that SMEs must first seek commercial loans is dropped, along with personal guarantees.
$530m Zoom trial was a success, says partner
Solicitor predicts greater use of technology once the crisis has passed.
Weightmans and Walker Morris confirm plans to furlough staff
Firms state intention to preserve jobs in the long term.
Accountant fined over advice to solicitor who was later suspended
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales says firm failed to make appropriate enquiries.
81% of chambers will fold within a year, Bar Council survey finds
Bar Council says majority of chambers will collapse if they do not receive more financial support during the pandemic.
April cruel
Possibly not the best year to prank law students.
Covid-19: government threatened with JR over outdoor exercise limit
Prominent human rights firm says measure makes life difficult for families managing needs of children with autism.
Upbeat Burford predicts Covid-19 litigation boom
Bosses will spend bonuses on shares but litigation funder will not pay a 2019 dividend.
Supreme Court awards damages to fund US surrogacy costs
Majority of justices rule that, if arrangement has reasonable prospect of success, costs can be awarded.
Defendant and claimant lawyers agree relaxed litigation rules
Organisations respond to coronavirus lockdown with deal to allow extensions and email service.
Family court overcomes 'teething difficulties' in contested Skype hearing
Manchester lawyer says systems were put in place early on to ensure proceedings ran smoothly.
HMCTS reveals list of priority work for county courts
Cases split into work that must be done and work that could be done.
Supreme Court sides with Morrisons over vicarious liability
Five Supreme Court justices unanimously overturn Court of Appeal decision on data leak.
Court rejects ‘absurd’ contempt complaint against two solicitors
Applicant had wanted lawyers committed over brief witness statement concerning a contested attendance note.
Society strives to secure emergency support for SME law firms
Law firms steered to Business Interruption Loan Scheme, which could also help finance professional indemnity insurance.
'Zero money': young legal aid lawyers highlight coronavirus plight
Practitioner group gathering evidence to inform government discussions and best practice recommendations.
Gender pay gap narrows at Freshfields
Magic circle firm reports overall gender pay gap of 57.2% and ethnicity pay gap of 66.4%.
Police force praised for coronavirus measures to protect lawyers
National protocol expected soon as Northumbria tells lawyers safety in its custody suites is top priority.
Womble Bond Dickinson lays off staff and cuts pay
Salaries temporarily reduced by 10% in cost-saving measures prompted by coronavirus.
Lawyers echo Sumption's 'police state' warning
Former Supreme Court justice raises concern about legal over-reach.
LeO humiliated as it is forced to drop 21% budget increase
'Frank and open conversation' as ombudsman told it had not presented a strong enough case.
Coronavirus: Demand for wills jumps by 76%
Solicitors call for urgent overhaul of probate legislation.
Pioneering Skype trial 'went without a hitch', says judge
Court of Protection hearing was first trial to be conducted entirely by video.
Travers Smith creates force majeure app
Homemade tool allows clients to send in contracts for automatic review.
Female, Asian - but not with a disability: SRA's picture of the profession today
Demography of solicitors changes markedly in senior roles and larger firms, survey of 9,000 practitioners finds.
BoE urged to consider emergency loans to top law firms
Law Society seeking clarification on eligibility for multi-billion-pound loan scheme.
Coronavirus: Barristers to get £500 upfront, says CPS
An upfront Covid-19 fee of £500 is to be introduced in May for prosecuting counsel.
Bar refuses to budge on exam delays
‘Integrity of the assessments is paramount’ says director general of the Bar Standards Board.
Open justice campaigner calls for video remand data to be published
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner says government-funded programme has been successful as HM Courts & Tribunals Service takes the reins.
Firm sees off £600k negligence claim over aborted property purchase
Judge says firm made mistake but that claimants could not prove they would have gone ahead with deal.
Extra guidance for conveyancers stuck in coronavirus lockdown
Law Society and conveyancing bodies join forces to help firms comply with government requirements.
Self-employed package ‘woefully insufficient’, say junior barristers
Reliance on 2018/19 tax returns is ‘an unnecessary barrier to the equitable application of the scheme’, newly-qualified barristers claim.
Pandemic prompts global ‘remote courts’ initiative
'We must seize the moment', says online justice guru Susskind.
Coronavirus: Priority courts scheme starts today
Lawyers urged to check online list of open courts and 'staffed courts' before they travel.
News focus: Unified Patent Court impasse - what now?
A German ruling to void membership of the Unified Patent Court highlights the fragility of supranational institutions. But is the UK ready to take advantage of this window of opportunity?
Bar’s leniency on conduct under spotlight
Barrister watchdog has challenged just two tribunal judgments in the past five years - a fraction of the SRA’s annual count of appealing sanctions imposed on solicitors.
Magic circle equality scheme attracts more men than women
Pioneering scheme was introduced by Linklaters Germany to help retain female lawyers.
Memory lane 30 March 2020
A stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Curse of the Scottish play strikes
'On no account mention the word Macbeth this evening.'
Wealthy breathe cleaner air – official
International Arbitration Centre – London’s swanky hub for dispute resolution – is still a pestilence-free zone.
Firm’s fond tribute to solicitor who died from Covid-19 complications
Jon Jacob’s commitment to clients and his profession was ‘second to none’.
Treasury solicitor asks for service of proceedings by email
The Government Legal Department (GLD) has asked for any documentation to be sent to the agency by e-mail rather than post, to avoid handling of materials.
Womble Bond Dickinson sees off landowner’s ‘wasteful’ negligence claim
Owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill had accused international firm over advice on criminal charge.
Housing possession proceedings suspended for 90 days
Housing solicitors highlighted inconsistent approaches taken by county courts across the country.
Coronavirus: Over half of court buildings to close
A priority network of 158 buildings will remain open for essential face-to-face hearings.
Delay completions until lockdown ends, conveyancers advised
Law Society says government guidance provides much-needed clarity but further issues remain.
DWF leads slide in law firm shares
International firm admits growth will be below expectations.
Barristers cool on emergency measures for self-employed
Bar Council will raise the £50,000 profit cap with the Treasury and the Ministry of Justice.
Criminal court backlog reaches two-year high
Number of outstanding Crown court cases now stands at 37,434.
Litigators plead for rule changes to ease coronavirus burden
Civil Procedure Rule Committee poised to amend rules, but lawyers say they need action now.
In-house lawyer was ‘puppet director’ for dubious £16m schemes
Timothy Ackrel had been ‘under the thumb’ of beneficiaries who enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle from his services.
Coronavirus: Firm announces 10% salary cut for higher earners
Knights takes swift action to reduce costs as it enters a period of uncertainty.
Solicitors seek urgent clarity over ongoing conveyancing work
Government spokesperson says buyers should delay moving home where possible.
Online LPC exams may be possible, SRA concedes
Solicitors Regulation Authority says it is relaxing assessment requirements for all parts of the LPC.
Listed Gateley cancels dividend as coronavirus hits
Law firm reassures the market it remains a resilient and well-balanced business.
Solicitor retires after half a century with same firm
Lewis Isaacs is to formally retire after 50 years with Cambridge-headquartered Hewitsons.
Paralegal banned after under-settling claim without authority
Vijay Parekh will be prevented from working for any regulated firm.
Courts boss cleans up on coronavirus bad luck
Susan Acland-Hood can’t seem to catch a break.
Coronavirus: Talks ongoing over wills witness requirements
Law Society and Ministry of Justice discuss probate legislation to address current distancing issues.
LAA working 'as rapidly as possible' to pay legal aid firms
Legal Aid Agency relaxes requirements in updated Covid-19 guidance.
Buckland: Critics ‘too harsh’ as MoJ strives to keep courts open
Justice secretary praises ‘heroic efforts’ of lawyers and court staff keeping trials and hearings going.
Gender pay gap narrows at Irwin Mitchell
National firm announces a gender pay gap of 10.3%, down from 12.8% last year.
Coronavirus: Insurers and claimants agree protocol for disputes
Pact agreed drawn as reports emerge of lawyers exploiting current crisis to gain an advantage.
'Cut your overheads': Conveyancing firms face battle to survive Covid-19
Viewings set to dry up after estate agencies told they are not essential businesses under new lockdown rules.
$500m commercial trial to be heard in 'virtual court room'
Judge pushes ahead with multi-party litigation despite coronavirus lockdown.
Scotland told to create independent regulator for legal services
Competition and Markets Authority recommends an SRA-style regulator and long-awaited introduction of ABS.
Gove apologises for lockdown confusion over separated families
Cabinet Office guidance states that children under 18 can travel between both parents’ homes.
SRA staying ‘pragmatic’ over conduct during UK lockdown
Regulator says it will take into account the current circumstances when investigating complaints.
Don’t delay exams, junior lawyers tell regulator
Postponing LPC exams would have ‘serious implications’ for trainees, JLD claims.
