THIS ISSUE
Fixed costs, forced ADR, and animal exploitation jostle for space with legal superstars, good deeds, and a whiff of hope in this month’s update by Dominic Regan
The headlines from the Covid inquiry are writing themselves, so revelatory is the evidence. It seems, however, that there is a never-ending stream of public inquiries, each one lasting an age
The latest word on fixed recoverable costs plus a (potentially seismic) prediction for Christmas feature in NLJ’s The Insider column this week by Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School
In this week’s Civil way, NLJ columnist & former District Judge Stephen Gold relays the good news that the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is up and running along with guidance notes and the government’s checklist for renting in England
In this week’s NLJ, Jago Russell, partner, Boutique Law, and Ross Ludlow, pupil barrister, Drystone Chambers, explain the reasons behind the trend for de-banking in the UK. While the Nigel Farage debacle captured the headlines, ‘being de-banked is surprisingly common’, the authors write
As lawyers prepare for Pro Bono Week (6-10 November), Bar Chair Nick Vineall KC offers his own personal take on the difference pro bono can make, in this week’s NLJ. Both lawyer and client benefit from the experience. Vineall recalls his first ever cross-examination, conducted pro bono for a client referred via the Free Representation Unit
Solicitors have highlighted issues in the otherwise broadly welcomed Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
The Law Society asked solicitors last week to share their experience of delivering unbundled services—splitting services into tasks, some carried out by solicitors and the rest completed by clients
MPs have launched an inquiry into the work of the county court, amid long-standing concerns over court capacity and resources
Fees for barristers in cases involving pre-recorded cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses (s 28 cases) are to increase
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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