THIS ISSUE
The proposed Product Regulation and Metrology Bill aims to provide a ‘pragmatic response’ to safety risks and technological opportunities arising since the late 1980s, but what are its implications for businesses which use artificial intelligence (AI) and their insurers? In this week’s NLJ, John Doherty, partner and head of regulatory, Penningtons Manches Cooper, considers what shape the Bill might take.
It feels like civil legal aid has been in crisis forever—so is the current system simply irreparable? In this week’s NLJ, Roger Smith, former director of JUSTICE, argues that we need a radical rethink.
The terrifying world of deepfakes, ‘cheapfakes’, dating scams, phishing and other artificial intelligence (AI) connivance is the subject of a fascinating article by Dan Wyatt, partner, Chris Whitehouse, senior associate, and Olivia Dhein, knowledge lawyer, RPC (Reynolds Porter Chamberlain), in this week’s NLJ.
Be on guard against ‘greenwashing’ as tough regulations are now in place. Moreover, the latest guidance available suggests a low threshold for culpability. In this week’s NLJ, Paige Coulter, associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan UK, with input from Julianne Hughes-Jennett, partner, sets out the risks involved and predicts a rise in litigation under the Companies Act 2006 and other legislation concerning allegations of greenwashing (publishing misleading information about the environmental or sustainability characteristics of a good, service or business).
In future there will be less money for creditors and more money for the official receiver—this outrage is exposed by NLJ columnist and former district judge Stephen Gold, in this week’s Civil Way.
For anyone interested in prison reform, John Cooper KC, of 25 Bedford Row, recommends a recently released film, Holloway, directed by Sophie Compton and Daisy-May Hudson.
Roger Smith on why he believes the model of civil legal aid developed as part of the post-war welfare state is bust
Paige Coulter & Julianne Hughes-Jennett map out the risky landscape of greenwashing regulation
Ian Smith combs through four cases addressing important issues of interpretation…including the reach of sexual harassment law
As a legal professional, you’re adept at building strong arguments for clients. But when it comes to securing a mortgage, shaping your financial narrative is equally important
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
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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