THIS ISSUE
It’s time to break bad habits, and remote working provides the perfect excuse, writes Ken Young, Keoghs partner, in this week’s NLJ
The costs of budgeting and costs management do not include VAT, the Senior Costs Judge has held in an important decision for costs lawyers
A global project to improve the mental wellbeing of lawyers has been launched by the International Bar Association (IBA), as COVID-19 adds to the stress of professional life
Two-thirds of barristers would find extended court operating hours ‘an impossibility’ due to caring responsibilities or because they are themselves vulnerable during the pandemic, the Bar Council has warned
Some people love working from home and others hate it―whatever the situation, employers need to make sure they’re prepared for legal issues that may arise when workers return
Institute urges government to make the change permanent
The NHS's focus on COVID-19 is having a 'significant and worsening' impact on non-COVID patients, a QC has warned
Jury trials were due to resume at Durham, Chester, Bolton, Snaresbrook, Inner London and Leeds Crown Courts this week, following health and safety assessments
Living in fear of the taxman? NLJ columnist Stephen Gold offers reassurance in this week’s Civil way―HMRC has updated its guidance to include the impact of coronavirus as a reasonable excuse for late payment
The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into the Coroner Service and whether enough improvements have been made since reforms were introduced by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Cripps—Radius Law
Commercial and technology practice boosted by team hire
Switalskis—Grimsby
Firm expands with new Grimsby office to serve North East Lincolnshire
Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury
Property team boosted by two solicitor appointments
NEWS
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
Recent allegations surrounding Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have reignited scrutiny of the ancient common law offence of misconduct in public office. Writing in NLJ this week, Simon Parsons, teaching fellow at Bath Spa University, asks whether their conduct could clear a notoriously high legal hurdle
A landmark ruling has reshaped child clinical negligence claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Jodi Newton, head of birth and paediatric negligence at Osbornes Law, explains how the Supreme Court in CCC v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2026] UKSC 5 has overturned Croke v Wiseman, ending the long-standing bar on children recovering ‘lost years’ earnings
A Court of Appeal ruling has drawn a firm line under party autonomy in arbitration. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed, associate professor at the University of Leicester, analyses Gluck v Endzweig [2026] EWCA Civ 145, where a clause allowing arbitrators to amend an award ‘at any time’ was held incompatible with the Arbitration Act 1996
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