Battle of the brands
The propaganda war over the collective action regime can be a little hard to follow.
Family pet campaign secures parliamentary bill
Domestic Abuse (Pets) Bill makes smooth start in its parliamentary journey to becoming law.
Senior partner's evidence 'lacking credibility' in client dispute
Tribunal judge says firm’s own statement of case was ‘surprisingly amateurish’.
Call for training and appraisals to improve treatment of defendants
Transform Justice’s latest court observation has led to recommendations on how to better defendants’ participation.
Palantir primed to access law firm AML data
Controversial US tech giant is on the verge of landing a crime detection contract with the Financial Conduct Authority.
SRA defends zero tolerance approach to Dentons AML case
Lord Justice Bean, Lord Justice Jeremy Baker and Lord Justice Zacaroli reserve judgment in the Court of Appeal.
Ethics first, client second: Lawyers told to prioritise wider duties
Frontline regulators urged to offer more support to lawyers to call out poor behaviour in their workplace.
Crown court backlog hits new record
Government says latest figures for outstanding caseload justify jury trial reform; bar says they prove the opposite.
Ex-ministers back new lobby to protect opt-out actions
Competitive Britain was set up to repel business attempts to water down the Competition Appeal Tribunal regime.
Juries 'not bastions of infallibility', rape victim tell MPs
Victims of crime share court ordeals with MPs scrutinising Courts and Tribunals Bill.
'Light touch' no more? Incoming LSB chair promises 'greater surveillance'
Monisha Shah, the government’s preferred candidate for the post, faces questioning from MPs.
Judge calls for media sensitivity as he jails 'romance fraudster'
'I would respectfully ask that those who choose to report this case do so with compassion,' says HHJ Jason Taylor KC.
Dentons challenges AML breach ruling at Court of Appeal
Not every breach of rule or regulation should be treated as a matter of misconduct, international firm argues.
Regional heavyweights in acquisition talks
Stockmarket announcement made 'following recent press speculation' about potential deal.
MP clashes with victims commissioners over jury reform
Tetchy exchanges between Kieran Mullan MP, Claire Waxman and Vera Baird during parliamentary session on Courts and Tribunals Bill.
Reform bids to mobilise legal allies
Special interest group's first task is 'outreach into legal community' as it aspires to ditch Blair reforms, launch event hears.
Transparency champion LSB forgets to open its own files
There is no mention of last month's board meeting on PM Law anywhere on the oversight regulator's page.
Solicitor struck off for giving clients false case updates
Law firm denies claim that it failed to support employee who said she was struggling with mental health challenges.
Former attorney general warns over Henry VIII powers
Dominic Grieve says Henry VIII powers subvert parliament's role in new podcast series from legal reform charity Justice.
Biggest civil fraud trial concludes with £177m award
After 11 years, 1,800 pages of judgment and £120 million in claimant costs, the curtain falls. At least for now.
LSB set to block 11% budget boost for ombudsman
Complaints handler has already warned it cannot deal with soaring workload without more money.
SDT reveals surge in private prosecutions
Members of the public more likely than ever to bring their own cases - but almost all are failing.
'1948 relic': Personal injury lobby faces new fight to cling onto private health costs
NHS is effectively being double-charged by injured people, says MP behind private member's bill.
In depth: SEND 'listening exercise' sparks scepticism
Government spindoctors are hard at work attempting to render controversial SEND reforms palatable to MPs and affected families. Fears about the authenticity of the government’s ‘listening’ exercises appear well founded.
Unclaimed class action cash attracts £68m worth of funding bids
Wave of applications exposes serious funding shortfall for frontline organisations providing free legal advice.
Two-year suspension for ex-City partner found in contempt
Registered foreign lawyer apologises for 'an isolated incident of abject stupidity'.
Medical records disclosed to accused in domestic abuse cases, peers told
Barrister tells House of Lords Domestic Abuse Act 2021 committee that family court guidance is needed on correct approach to disclosure.
'I can't trust anyone again': Mesh victims speak out after solicitor banned
Campaigner says solicitor added another layer of pain to an already devastating medical journey.
Gerry Adams case dropped after court signalled loss of QOCS shield
Claimants say they had ‘no realistic choice’ once abuse of process was alleged in civil case against former Sinn Féin president.
Clearer guidance needed on AI harms - Society
UK Jurisdiction Taskforce prepares statement on liability for physical and economic damage cause by autonomous systems.
KC Day questions
Why bother with a process predisposed to ignore applications from outside the bar?
Post Office families offered flat-rate compensation
Government says relatives of wronged sub-postmasters will not need to show any evidence of harm to be eligible.
Magistrate made 'racially inappropriate' WhatsApp comment
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office says comment ‘could be perceived to call into question [magistrate’s] impartiality, independence or integrity’.
SRA says sorry for late correspondence to jailed solicitor
SDT chair said it was ‘regrettable’ that it took two months for the regulator to attempt to contact non-practising solicitor.
Whereabouts of 'expert' irks judge
Reports of a solicitor being struck off for telling a judge he was in London rather than Germany reminds me of a case I had at Lewes Crown Court.
Keeping up appearances
Select committees rarely flex their power to summon.
Tome tour
For the lady chief justice’s annual press conference, journalists were taken to the Royal Courts of Justice’s literary archive.
In depth: LCJ braces for a 'year of transition' on the bench
At a time when ‘we are losing giants of the judiciary’, the LCJ spoke this week of legislation combining courts and tribunals, the safety of judges and recruiting more solicitors to the bench.
'Deplorable' mesh implant solicitor banned for deceiving clients
Vulnerable women were left exposed to costs as they unwittingly pursued claims for years without ATE insurance.
In depth: How interest on client account schemes work abroad
The government’s plans for an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Account scheme are flawed – that was the consensus at a recent conference exploring how existing ILCAs operate internationally.
Legal representative 'desert' in domestic abuse cases, peers told
Courts in Newcastle, Devon and Cambridge are struggling to appoint lawyers to cross-examine accuser on behalf of accused.
Personal injury market regroups as claims plunge
Claims fell to a record low last year but the sector is holding its own financially.
Multi-office firms add new openings
Firms seek to offer personal support by moving into communities they serve.
Obituary: Gregory P. Joseph (1951–2026)
American trial lawyer and legal scholar whose work influenced litigation practice on both sides of the Atlantic.
High Court throws out appeal of 'lack of integrity' sanction
Partner’s appeal against 12-month suspension and £30,630 costs order is dismissed by High Court.
SRA boss poised to beef up her executive team
Sarah Rapson tells Law Society Council that comparable organisations have many more senior leaders.
Conveyancing: Tax adviser registration 'could be deferred'
Law Society president also updates members on government’s plan to seize client account interest.
Court of Appeal gives further guidance to family case experts
Family Division, not the Court of Appeal, is almost always the place to hear challenges to experts, judges note.
Plan to hobble SEND Tribunal a done deal, government admits
Position at odds with education secretary’s statement that consultation happens 'before any final decisions are made'.
Strolling players
London Legal Walk 2026 will take place on 9 June.
Tribunal rejects return of convicted fraudster to roll after 18 years
Ex-solicitor worked as a housing officer during his time in prison but had done little other legal work.
Uncertainty as government parks AI copyright reform
Plans to allow widespread ‘data mining’ to train systems are ruled out in the face of trenchant opposition.
Foreign proceedings do not interfere with English claim, CoA rules
Only ‘exceptional’ cases would mean that foreign proceedings could lead to criminal contempt in England and Wales courts.
Defence lawyers hail cap on agency charges as 'important turning point'
Solicitor says insurance sector will be pleased with decision on ‘unjustified’ mark-ups.
Dispute revolution
London International Disputes Week turns seven.
Bunfight for office space
It seems that demand for London office space is booming – led, predictably, by law firms.
SRA flags cost risks from client account interest levy
Government plans to redirect interest on client accounts could create significant new costs to be met by firms.
Client was right to feel aggrieved but not entitled to damages
National firm admits breaching its duty of care on property deal advice but denied causing any loss.
Defendants of 'good character' will be denied jury trial, MPs told
Racial bias concerns also raised during justice committee evidence session on Courts and Tribunals Bill.
Memory lane
Gove’s City levy, Saddam Hussein’s trial, and a fashion show in aid of the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
DJ's ex-partner escapes costs order in bitter family proceedings
Liv Nervo's change of lawyers was 'guaranteed to send the temperature of the litigation soaring', judge observes.
LCJ expresses 'grave security concerns' over judge-only trials
Baroness Carr tells journalists she has 'every confidence in magistrates and Crown court judges to step up to the challenges they will be facing’.
Costs judge slashes agency fees with 25% mark-up cap
Claimants win over breakdown of costs - but alarmed at sting in the tail on agency fees.
In depth: Put AI on your risk agenda, firms told
AI should form an integral part of a firm’s risk policy, the Law Society’s risk and compliance conference heard. Data security and precautions are increasingly scrutinised when PII is renewed.
'Whac-a-Mole' solicitor's negligence claim struck out
Judge finds claimant in dispute dating from 2019 repeatedly failed to complete a compliant trial bundle.
City solicitor hid £2.1m shortage through false bank statements
Firm owner had already used an alias to move almost £1m from account he solely operated.
Lammy rebrands and expands problem-solving family court
Lord chancellor announces £17m to roll out more 'child-focused' - previously known as 'pathfinder' - courts.
Probate director jailed over missing estate funds
Business owner tried to blame a mysterious business partner for disappearance of £432,000.
‘Structural failings’ still delaying Post Office compensation, MPs warn
Claimant lawyers have reported that main compensation scheme is treated as an unnecessary hurdle.
Society rebukes education secretary for attack on lawyers
Silence from lord chancellor over education secretary’s attack on SEND lawyers ’exploiting parents’.
Tech making reserved activity list obsolete - LSB chief
Oversight regulator will push for a review of reserved activities as AI boosts unregulated market.
'Chronic overwork': Flexible working has greatest impact on women’s careers, says IBA report
Raising the Bar: Women in Law study surveyed almost 5,000 women across over 100 countries.
In depth: Four MPs are demanding to know why Andrew Milne is still on the roll
Parliamentarians claim the solicitor has caused their constituents ‘an unimaginable amount of stress’.
Creditors of closed Birmingham firm likely to receive nothing
Massive investment by director was unable to save loss-making legal aid practice.
Cornish litigation firm wins free office for a year
Firm plans to grow without the pressure of paying commercial rent for a year.
FCA made 'significant errors' in seizing barrister suspect's devices
‘Failings represent a lack of rigour rather than any deliberate misconduct,’ High Court concludes.
Former BBC executive picked to chair LSB
Monisha Shah's appointment subject to hearing by Commons justice select committee.
Claimant was coached in court through smart glasses
High Court rejects evidence after finding that instructions were being given by a lawyer watching case remotely.
Dam claim judge ‘failed to engage with BHP submissions’
Lord Justice Lewison and Lord Justice Fraser, sitting in the Court of Appeal, reserve judgment on BHP’s permission to appeal.
Solicitor who lied to protect client avoids strike-off
Tribunal insists outcome 'should not be read as creating a wider precedent for leniency'.
KC quits regulator to fight 'tyrannical' jury trial curbs
Rule of law has become 'something to be sold' to oligarchs 'as part of UK plc', alleges Flora Page.
AML: Firms warned against complacency ahead of FCA takeover
Risk managers bemoan lack of clarity about what new Financial Conduct Authority regime will mean for legal profession.
Equity partnership still heavily dominated by men, SRA data shows
Proportion of female lawyers continues to soar but seniority gap continues.
Complaints must be 'tools for learning', incoming LeO chief tells MPs
Former housing ombudsman wants to focus on access to justice, systemic change and transformation in terms of performance.
How now, no cow: SC judgment inspires give-away
Forbidden slogan is put out to pasture.
Children at heart of 'problem-solving' blueprint for family lawyers
Lawyers would send parents letter from children's commissioner highlighting impact of conflict on children.
Judge makes first 'statutory SLAPP' declaration
Claimant's behaviour in Dan Neidle case was 'not recognisable as properly conducted litigation'.
AI is administrative justice tribunal’s future - but data improvements needed
Administrative Justice Council reports on digitisation across the ‘modernised tribunal system’.
PM Law windup begins as police probe alleged fraud
Liquidator appointed to group companies as South Yorkshire force investigates.
Bid to curtail jury trials clears first parliamentary hurdle
MPs vote by a majority of 101 to let the Courts and Tribunals Bill move to the next stage in journey to become law.