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No rest for the wicked

29 November 2013 / Richard Langley
Issue: 7586 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Reviews spell more change for litigators, says Richard Langley

“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” ( Isaiah 57:20-21 ).

Litigators in England must be deeply sinful given the constant change being imposed on them. While the waters are still churned up by the Jackson reforms, two major consultations are taking place concerning the procedures in specialist areas of the High Court. There are lessons to be learned from the contrasting way these consultations are proceeding.

Chancery Modernisation Review

The first is the Chancery Modernisation Review (CMR). This is being conducted by Lord Justice Briggs (with the assistance of Mr Justice Newey). In July 2013 he published a provisional report running to 162 pages. The level of detail is impressive and the analysis of the Chancery Division as it is now, and the objectives for modernisation, is thoughtful and balanced. It is a valuable piece of work for

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire has won her bid to bring her financial relief claim in London, in a unanimous Court of Appeal decision
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