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
Hugh James—Phil Edwards
Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire
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Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe
Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire
DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr
Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London
NEWS
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
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
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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