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17 October 2013
Issue: 7580 / Categories: Legal News
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“Flexible” working on the Queen’s Bench

First flexible vacancies are advertised

A vacancy for a High Court judge to work flexibly or part-time has been advertised for the first time.

In all, nine High Court judge positions are available in the Queen’s Bench and Family Division. Flexible working arrangements will be suitable for one of the Queen’s Bench Division posts. Provisions to allow this came into force in April, to encourage more women to apply.

Applicants need not be a QC or deputy High Court judge, but must be a high performing lawyer with significant experience and show leadership potential.

Lady Hale, deputy president of the Supreme Court, says: “We know there are plenty of able women and other diverse lawyers out there who could be great judges. There are fewer barriers now than ever before.”

Earlier this month, Lady Hale said she hoped to see another female justice in the Supreme Court before she retires.

There are now 19 women in the High Court, a record number, and seven in the Court of Appeal. Women made up a third of the last recommendations to the High Court.

Applications must be made by noon on 4 November.

Issue: 7580 / Categories: Legal News
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Cripps—Radius Law

Cripps—Radius Law

Commercial and technology practice boosted by team hire

Switalskis—Grimsby

Switalskis—Grimsby

Firm expands with new Grimsby office to serve North East Lincolnshire

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Property team boosted by two solicitor appointments

NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
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