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21 January 2026
Issue: 8146 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services , Legal aid focus , Competition , Charities
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CAT pays dividends for Access to Justice Foundation

Free legal advice services are on track to receive a £3.9m bonanza arising from the ‘boundary fares’ settlement
The Access to Justice Foundation (AJF) is launching an unrestricted three-year funding programme, ‘Improving lives through advice 2026’, ‘with the aim of increasing access to justice for those who need it most’.

The grants distribute funds allocated to the AJF as the nominated recipient of unclaimed damages from the settlement in Justin Gutmann v First MTR South Western Trains Ltd and Stagecoach South Western Trains. The £3.7m settlement, one of the first from an opt-out class action, was agreed by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in May 2024.

Free legal advice services in London, south east England, Wales and Scotland are eligible to apply between 16 February and 16 March, with grants due to start in June. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

20 promotions mark major people investment at national law firm, Anthony Collins

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley adds competition litigator Elaine Whiteford in London

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys welcomes Claudina D’Costa as Director of Client Development Marketing

NEWS
The 25th Pro Bono Week begins today until 6 November, with events hosted by law firms, chambers, law schools and charities across the UK
Pro bono is celebrating a silver anniversary, with initiatives putting businesses and students at the heart of access to justice
Choosing the wrong expert can cost a clinical negligence claimant more than their case
Judges risk weakening their own independence by staying silent over government reforms, a leading public lawyer argues
A discount on damages does not automatically mean an equivalent haircut for legal costs in military deafness claims
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