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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

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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