header-logo header-logo

26 September 2025
Issue: 8132 / Categories: Case law , In Court , Law digest
printer mail-detail

Law digests: 26 September 2025

Compensation

Stephenson (by his Deputy and litigation friend, Victoria Treacy) v First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) [2025] EWCA Civ 1160

The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, dismissed the appellant’s, Dominic Stephenson’s, appeal concerning the interpretation and application of para 42(b) of the 2001 Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The court held that Dominic Stephenson’s need for accommodation adaptations and related costs for the Court of Protection were attributable to his pre-existing conditions rather than the manslaughter of his mother. The court ruled that such costs were not compensable under ‘other resultant losses’ in para 42(b), as they did not result from the loss of parental services caused by the crime. Additionally, the interpretation that these losses must directly result from the loss of parental services was upheld without any error of law in the previous tribunals’ judgments.


Costs

Reeves v Frain (aka Simon Kevin Reeves aka Bill Reeves) and another [2025] EWHC 2311 (KB)

The King’s Bench Division ruled on a costs appeal concerning the enforceability of two damages-based agreements

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Workplace law firm expands commercial disputes team with senior consultant hire

EIP—Rob Barker

EIP—Rob Barker

IP firm promotes patent attorney to partner

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Banking and restructuring team bolstered by insolvency specialist

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
back-to-top-scroll