THIS ISSUE
Post-Kumar, Bryan Clark considers the use of legal representation within mediation when individuals are pitted against institutions
A recent cinema release has shed light on the working conditions of those living within the gig economy—and is a powerful reminder of the issues they face, says Charles Pigott
David Burrows laments the opportunities missed in the Civil Justice Council’s recent report on compulsory ADR
Vijay Ganapathy considers the future significance of recent cases in tort on foreseeability, quantum & withdrawal of Part 36 offers
Athelstane Aamodt traces the 800-year history of the inquest—as important now as it ever was
Possession: the impossible dream?; CPR 133rd update; Port alerts get Mostyn boost; Contact activity drafting; Official Solicitor guides
The worldwide profusion of human rights abuses cries out for law enforcement, but still governments fail to act: Geoffrey Bindman reports
Veronica Cowan reports on lawyers who turn detective to investigate fraud claims
Catherine Taskis QC & Anthony Tanney examine some conflicting decisions on rent-free periods in business lease renewals
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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