Brexit

Mental health, diversity and inclusion should be top priorities and more can be done to further efforts, according to a survey of litigation lawyers

In a special NLJ report, Grania Langdon-Down talks to Mrs Justice Cockerill, head of the Commercial Court, and litigators about the challenges of 2020 and what 2021 will bring in relation to work-flow, procedural reform, diversity and well-being. She also draws on responses from the latest London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA) and NLJ Litigation Trends Survey. Overall, most responders were positive that the litigation market would grow or, at least, remain unchanged. There was overwhelming support for virtual hearings and agile working. But there was also a strong message to the profession’s leaders that the legal community needs to do more to promote both diversity and inclusion and the importance of good mental health.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published updated guidance for customers and users of IP

The EU Services Sub-Committee has launched an inquiry into the future of UK-EU relations on trade in services

The Commons Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union has published correspondence with the Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, which confirms the government’s decision to bring the Committee’s term to an end on 16 January 2021 (in line with the original temporary Standing Orders establishing the Committee on 16 January 2020)

Michael Zander on whether there was parliamentary scrutiny worthy of the name

Simon Parsons reflects on the UK Internal Market Bill & attempts to exclude judicial review for errors of law

Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Michael Zander QC covers the speedy passage of the EU (Future Relationship) Act 2020 through parliament

Details of amendments to various Family Procedure Rules 2010 Practice Directions consequential to Brexit have been issued

Michael Zander on the last stages of the UK Internal Market Bill