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NLJ this week: Mazur under scrutiny

14 November 2025
Issue: 8139 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services , Costs , Fees
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Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB) continues to stir controversy across civil litigation, according to NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School—AKA ‘The insider’

Regan highlights growing concerns that the decision may have been wrongly decided, after Regional Costs Judge Richard Lumb confirmed its binding effect on masters and district judges. The ruling restricts recoverable costs when unqualified staff conduct litigation, slashing claims to fixed-fee levels.

Regan reports Ben Williams KC’s suggestion that historic authorities—Myers v Elman and Hollins v Russell—permit broader delegation than Mazur allows, implying the decision may contradict a century of practice.

The column also touches on unresolved medical agency fee disputes, a new non-party costs order against a credit hire company, and a poignant tribute to Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, remembered as a fearless champion of justice and beloved NLJ columnist.

Issue: 8139 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services , Costs , Fees
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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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