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NLJ this week: Form N510—not just a box to tick

31 October 2025
Issue: 8137 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Civil way , CPR
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NLJ columnist Stephen Gold dives into the quirks of civil practice, from the Court of Appeal’s fierce defence of form N510 to fresh reminders about compliance and interest claims, in this week's Civil Way

In Robertson v Google LLC, a claimant’s failure to file the N510 before serving out of jurisdiction proved fatal, confirming that CPR rules can’t be sidestepped via general relief provisions.

Elsewhere, Gold highlights how judges are drawing inferences from absent witnesses and insisting parties follow every step of court-ordered service.

On the money front, Pharos Offshore v Keynvor Morlift confirmed that late payment interest applies even to VAT, with a juicy 12% rate offering creditors a lawful windfall.

Gold’s trademark wit runs through the piece, reminding practitioners that procedural shortcuts rarely pay—and that even minor forms, like the N510, can make or break a case.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—Private client team

Birketts—Private client team

Four private client specialists join the team in Bristol

Moore Barlow—Joanna Earl, Thomas Denman & Lauren Johnson

Moore Barlow—Joanna Earl, Thomas Denman & Lauren Johnson

Private wealth disputes team expands in Surrey with new solicitor trio

NLJ Career Profile: Ben Daniels, DAC Beachcroft

NLJ Career Profile: Ben Daniels, DAC Beachcroft

Ben Daniels, newly elected as the next senior partner of DAC Beachcroft, reflects on his leadership inspiration and considers an impish alternative career

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
In NLJ this week, Ian Smith, emeritus professor at UEA, explores major developments in employment law from the Supreme Court and appellate courts
Writing in NLJ this week, Kamran Rehman and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper examine Operafund Eco-Invest SICAV plc v Spain, where the Commercial Court held that ICSID and Energy Charter Treaty awards cannot be assigned
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