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NLJ this week: Litigation capacity & the role of the family lawyer

18 October 2024
Issue: 8090 / Categories: Legal News , Family , Divorce , Mental health , Health & safety
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How should family lawyers work with clients who lose or lack capacity?

In this week’s NLJ, Nicola Beasley, senior associate, Stowe Family Law, explains the concept of litigation capacity, differentiates between this and decision-making, and offers practice points for cases in which clients lose, or lack, litigation capacity.

Beasley covers case law on the topic and sets out clear, practical advice for lawyers involved in cases in which issues about a client’s litigation capacity arise.

The author writes: ‘As with mental health, litigation capacity can fluctuate.’ She also advises lawyers to remember that litigation capacity ‘is not based on whether the person’s decisions are unwise or unusual, or on whether you agree with them or not’.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
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