'Deny and delay' blamed for surge in clin neg waiting times, lawyers claim
APIL calling for full candour and compliance with pre-action protocol.
Crown court backlog hits new record - but MoJ silent on jury trial reform
Courts minister Sarah Sackman says government is acting on all fronts - but pointedly omits to comment on whether jury trial curbs will proceed.
Post Office pays another £25m to law firms for redress work
New breakdown details multi-million-pound sums received by law firms instructed by Post Office.
Short jail sentences for British women 'ineffective', says Council of Europe
Anti-torture committee highlights 'severe staff shortages' in prisons, calling for community-based alternatives.
Struck-off ex-solicitor fails with second bid for readmission
SDT took issue with former sole practitioner’s reference to an 'unblemished career'.
Judge clocked for speeding three times as he rushed to court
Deputy District Judge Crow says he has made changes to prevent any repeat.
'This isn't over': Lawyers say secret commissions fight will continue
Ruling established that Part 18 requests cannot be used to force firms to reveal commissions.
13-year itch: Long marriages mean 'more complexity' when couples split
Family lawyers offer their take - and warnings - about the average length of a marriage reaching a six-decade high.
Firm puts arbitration first as clients push for dispute alternative
Delays and lack of judicial continuity prompting divorcing parties to seek arbitration.
MoJ begins recruiting for LawtechUK’s next phase
Applications invited for new advisory board and ‘ambassadors’ to champion the scheme.
Unhappy client to pay solicitor damages for defamatory review
Solicitor says he was embarrassed and angry when the untrue allegations were posted.
Finding fault with the experts
Another forensic scientist has bitten the dust under cross-examination.
No end in sight for strike by Legal 500 researchers
Union members say they want a flat £2,000 pay increase.
Many law firms set to fail without interest income - benchmarking survey
Annual NatWest bellwether also finds that the post-Covid trading boom has stalled, which has squeezed profits.
Lib Dem conference: party votes for tougher anti-SLAPP legislation
Party wants stronger powers for regulators to take 'robust' enforcement action against lawyers and law firms.
English law booming as exports reach almost £11bn
Report shows extent of influence of English law and lawyers in foreign jurisdictions.
Magistrate warned for shouting at 'unprofessional' staffer
Lack of remorse was an aggravating factor, Judicial Conduct Investigations Office finds.
Jailed paralegal banned for intimidating ex-partner
Richard Melfi-Wroe bombarded ex-partner with messages and threats.
Court cannot force secret commission disclosure, appeal judges rule
Court of Appeal says refusing to disclose commissions is ‘unwise’ but blocks option of legal challenge.
Wrong law firm bitten by watchdog
Red faces at the Financial Conduct Authority, which this week maligned an innocent law firm.
'Huge blow' for SRA as High Court rules on scope of privilege
Regulator to appeal ‘landmark decision’ that anti-SLAPP campaigners allege will leave the regulator ‘completely toothless’.
Lib Dem conference: We need to 'win the battle' on ECHR
Shadow attorney general says party cannot stay quiet on defending the European Convention on Human Rights.
Mutiny in the rankings
Staff at Legalease, publisher of the closely watched Legal500 rankings, are striking for two weeks ‘to win fairer pay’.
In depth: Legal aid lawyers can't even get paid for their petrol
The Legal Aid Agency’s failure to adopt an increased mileage rate has compelled embattled firms to make up the shortfall, straining their finances even further.
Specialist rape courts to roll out across England and Wales
Bar chair says scheme should also encompass domestic abuse cases.
Divorce Day is dead, long live the September Split
A new alliterative hook has entered the room.
MPs call for independent body to run compensation schemes
Public accounts committee tells government to listen to victims who found claim process distressing or retraumatising.
Solicitor turned barrister struck off for duping bar watchdog
Tribunal found lawyer’s misconduct ’went to the heart of professional trustworthiness’.
Defendants unsuccessful in medical fees battle now hit for costs
All sides challenging medical fees decision in Court of Appeal next year.
Litigant files 300-page skeleton generated entirely by ChatGPT
Judge critical that onus was placed on opposing side to check for AI errors.
MoJ consults on higher standard of proof for 'short-form' inquest conclusions
Support charity Inquest fears 'rowing back the rights' of bereaved families will make it harder to hold state agents to account.
Lawyers lament UK’s ‘backsliding’ on rule of law
A lengthy list of concerns flagged in global bar survey includes government attacks on immigration solicitors.
Newly protected whistleblowers get on the phone to the SRA
Confidential ‘red alert’ line has received dozens of calls reporting alleged wrongdoing.
Law Society seeks to abolish cap on president’s pay
Solicitors to vote on removing bylaw which limits president’s remuneration to salary of district judge.
City watchdog seeks ‘partnership’ with solicitors on AML
The FCA has assured solicitors that it will not adopt an adversarial approach when assuming control of anti-money laundering regulation.
Magistrate sanctioned over social media post
Councillor’s post included letter to lord chancellor about sentencing reform identifying himself as a magistrate.
Ousted Pogust founder returns to Mariana claim via rival
‘My return is about ensuring that hundreds of thousands of people have the representation they deserve,’ says Tom Goodhead.
Firm not responsible for investor client’s £300,000 lost deposits
Judge says claimant 'deserved to succeed', but rules that her solicitors should not pay up.
Law Society weighs in on COLP/COFA divide
Talks have been held between the representative body and the regulator.
Beckham’s florist wins trade mark infringement case against rival
Judge finds that ‘high degree of similarity’ between companies created a likelihood of confusion.
Debt recovery firm joins private equity law grab
Investor says acquisition of Hertfordshire business will be the first of many.
Minister says UK must embrace AI now for use in court
Government looking at AI scheduling tools, transcription services and mediation software.
Judges sanctioned over delays
Employment judge receives formal warning for 'significant delay' across multiple cases.
For sale: The Old Courthouse
A nine-bedroom home in Cambridgeshire includes a former courtroom and prison cells.
Environmental claim against Shell will proceed to trial
Claimant’s reamendments were not a ‘material departure’ from the case ‘historically advanced’.
Lord chancellor declines opportunity to rule out jury trial curbs
Alex Norris does hint, however, that Courts and Tribunals Bill may look different by the end of its journey through parliament.
In depth: What the Gazette learned shadowing magistrates at frontline courts
The Gazette’s courts editor was invited to shadow magistrates over several days. This is what she found.
City watchdog bans former law firm boss
Financial services sanction follows £4m fine imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Former minister elected justice committee chief
Barrister Catherine Atkinson was backed by former Tory chair Sir Bob Neill.
First Black solicitor – new claim verified
Frank Kwabena Mensa Bonsu was admitted on 11 January 1955, several months before Manuel Chandri Delgado, who was thought to be the first Black solicitor to join the roll.
Coalition of legal professionals demands tougher action against Israel
Measures imposed must be far more wide-ranging to comply with the government’s legal obligations, says letter to PM Andy Burnham.
Motor finance claims firm cuts losses pending predicted revenue surge
Manchester practice secured £25m loan facility last year in anticipation of steep rise in income from settled cases.
Legal aid firms take financial hit over 10p mileage discrepancy
HMRC increased mileage rate to 55p for first 10,000 business miles but Legal Aid Agency's allowance remains 45p.
Judge ends ‘litigation war’ against Mishcon de Reya
‘It is time that the underlying conspiracy theory is given its quietus,’ Mr Justice Cotter said.
Private equity buys in to second offshore firm
Specialist outfit that operates from 11 offices will continue to be led by existing management team.
Stay refused in Mariana dam claim amid law firm tug of war
Pogust Goodhead hails ‘important win’ as rival legal teams vie for control of the litigation.
'Rushed' SQE candidates to answer fewer questions
Solicitors Regulation Authority responds to feedback by pruning multiple choice exam.
Magistrate sanctioned for referring to her status in private dispute
Office-holder alluded to her role 'in circumstances where it could be perceived as adding weight to her position'.
'New law needed' to safeguard human rights from AI
Potential for mass harm means regulation should take 'precautionary approach', says parliamentary committee.
Solicitor denies insider dealing charges
Practitioner enters not guilty pleas as trial date fixed for 2028.
Small firms call for no confidence motion on SRA board
Two groups now voicing open dissent at regulator's plans to split manager and compliance officer roles.
Problem-solving courts divert four in 10 from immediate jail time
Intensive supervision courts designed to cut reoffending by focusing on addictions that drive criminal behaviour.
Magistrate’s confrontational manner and lack of compassion lead to sanction
Judicial conduct investigators say magistrate offered ‘limited apologies’.
Trials listed for 2029 as employment tribunal backlog soars
Outstanding backlog of single cases has now reached 70,000 for the first time.
NHS AI tools could be repurposed to support jurors, committee told
Lords committee hears evidence from Her Honour Judge Kaly Kaul KC on juror support.
Woodville owes £300 million. It has £255,000
Directors have 'yet to answer basic questions on the use of investor funds', administrators’ statement of proposals reveals
Growing apart: differences in English and Welsh law fill 38 pages
It is no longer safe to assume that laws are uniform across both nations, Law Society practice note warns.
Firm ‘fighting for its reputation’ in appeal against court finding
Judgment was reserved by Lord Justice Phillips, Lord Justice Nugee, and Lady Justice Falk.
![LLG Helen Bradley[70]](https://d1d8vslyhr7rdg.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/2/7/7/130277_llghelenbradley70_769921_crop.jpg)
Local government lawyers face 'period of uncertainty'
Housing secretary Angela Rayner wants to ensure local authority overhaul programme is robust and legally sound.
Parliament offered chance to bring forward litigation funding regulation
Peers can debate involvement of Financial Conduct Authority as part of bill debates.
Books were ‘beyond remedy’ at veteran solictor’s practice
Tribunal approves nine-month suspension for sole practitioner who kept handwritten, out-of-date records.
Former employment judge was inappropriate toward female staff
‘The highly improper nature of the conduct’ meant removal would have been only appropriate sanction, JCIO finds.
Parties at war in motor finance claims as accusations fly
Scheme currently suspended while tribunal deals with twin legal challenges.
Revealed: MPs jockeying to become next justice committee chief
Successful candidate will lead cross-party group of MPs tasked with holding the Ministry of Justice to account.
Firms ‘disappointed’ after COLP campaign meeting with SRA
Group of 40 firms says SRA has still not produced evidence to justify changes.
Pogust Goodhead heads to court as rival claims control of dam litigation
Firm says High Court application seeks ‘to resolve….whether the client committee has the contractual authority to make a decision of this magnitude’.
Moderniser Briggs to be fifth Supreme Court president
Judge who recommended the establishment of an online court will take up his new role in January.
Sole practitioner fined £20,000 over multitude of failings
Regulator ruled that financial penalty should be at least 65% of solicitor’s annual income.
Legally risky? Government lawyers told to help ministers 'move quickly'
Notable changes to guidance include removal of the phrase 'rule of law', which featured twice in previous version.
Lawfront adds two more as regional centres bulk up
Staff will be retained as private equity-backed Lawfront stresses importance of client continuity.
Solicitor not personally responsible for unpaid £1.1m loan
Claimants paid solicitor £3,000 to draft agreement - but were not owed a personal duty of care, High Court finds.
'Vexatious litigation' in chancellor's growth line of fire
Judicial review reforms will apply to all major infrastructure projects, Healey says in first speech as chancellor of the exchequer.
Magistrate sanctioned over knife
JCIO says recently appointed magistrate ‘acknowledged the seriousness of the incident’.
Digital ID would face 'significant challenges'
Despite three decades of experience, UK is ill-prepared to create digital identity verification.
Insurer denied committal chance against dishonest claimant
Dishonesty claim was substantial, but court says committal bid did not have client's consent.
Firms still fear COLP/COFA change despite SRA clarification
Regulator has not done enough to persuade firms that changes are necessary and proportionate, practitioners say.
In depth: Inside the Woodville scandal
The collapse of an obscure litigation funder has sent shockwaves through the UK’s legal and financial sectors, exposing investors to ‘life-changing’ losses through unregulated loan notes.
MoJ evaluation reveals legal aid training grant success
Government-funded grant deemed 'effective intervention' to bolster housing legal aid workforce.
Waiting times for more complex civil trials down by six weeks
Consumer group says reduced delay is welcome but year-long wait is still too long.
Let a computer say yes to justice
‘All these cases now to be heard by the magistrates. They’ll never get through them.’