THIS ISSUE
Amanda Pinto QC reflects on an unprecedented, but privileged, first six months as Bar Council chair
The Law Commission’s reforms represent a better deal for leaseholders, say Nick Hopkins & Rebecca Sage
Before signing off for the summer break, Ian Smith tackles some small but mighty points of interpretation
The first electronically signed deed has been submitted for a house sale, in a historic moment for lawyers
A further five Crown courts have been cleared for jury trials to resume, bringing the total number hearing jury trials to 62, out of a total of 77 courts open
The £4.7m estate of deceased priest, teacher and convicted paedophile Michael Studdert must be frozen to give victims time to bring compensation claims, the High Court has ordered
Two Lady Justices and six Lord Justices of Appeal have been appointed
Nominations have opened for Next 100 Years’ annual Inspirational Women in Law Awards, which recognise women excelling in their career and helping to promote opportunities for other women
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor of the High Court, has been appointed as the next Master of the Rolls, and Sir Keith Lindblom appointed Senior President of Tribunals
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Freeths—Ruth Clare
National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester
Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon
Partner appointed head of family team
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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