THIS ISSUE
David Wolchover urges cutting of the Gordian knot over Michael Stone’s conviction for the Russell murders
Complaints about discrimination in relation to any protected characteristic should lead to robust investigations, not heresy hunts, say Maya Forstater & Anya Palmer
The common law gives England & Wales the flexibility to be a technology hub—and the draft digital assets Bill reinforces that, writes Simon Cohen
Post-Zedra, courts are more likely to strike out petitions that plead unfairly prejudicial conduct outside of relevant limitation periods. Stephen Burns & Katie Bewick explain why
Legislature reforms bite the dust, the judges who are happy with their lot, and a lack of costs transparency causes chagrin. Dominic Regan brings us up to date
Definitely maybe: Edward Blakeney & Taylor Briggs take a closer look at redevelopment in the context of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Nicholas Dobson considers the key issues in the Michaela Community School prayer dispute
Warehousing; New code for employers; Spoofing exposed; Latest FPR PD update; Divorce glitch
As leaflets go out and posters go up, legislation falls by the wayside. In this week’s NLJ, Professor Dominic Regan, of City Law school, takes stock of the Bills that have ‘bitten the dust’ in the wake of the impending general election, not least the Bill designed to reverse the Supreme Court’s PACCAR decision on third party litigation funding
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig
Workplace law firm expands commercial disputes team with senior consultant hire
EIP—Rob Barker
IP firm promotes patent attorney to partner
Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler
Banking and restructuring team bolstered by insolvency specialist
NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
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
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