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Law digests: 26 September 2025

26 September 2025
Issue: 8132 / Categories: Case law , In Court , Law digest
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Compensation

Stephenson (by his Deputy and litigation friend, Victoria Treacy) v First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) [2025] EWCA Civ 1160

The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, dismissed the appellant’s, Dominic Stephenson’s, appeal concerning the interpretation and application of para 42(b) of the 2001 Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The court held that Dominic Stephenson’s need for accommodation adaptations and related costs for the Court of Protection were attributable to his pre-existing conditions rather than the manslaughter of his mother. The court ruled that such costs were not compensable under ‘other resultant losses’ in para 42(b), as they did not result from the loss of parental services caused by the crime. Additionally, the interpretation that these losses must directly result from the loss of parental services was upheld without any error of law in the previous tribunals’ judgments.


Costs

Reeves v Frain (aka Simon Kevin Reeves aka Bill Reeves) and another [2025] EWHC 2311 (KB)

The King’s Bench Division ruled on a costs appeal concerning the enforceability of two damages-based agreements (DBAs) between the appellants and their solicitors in probate proceedings.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Corporate governance and company law specialist joins the team

Excello Law—Heather Horsewood & Darren Barwick

Excello Law—Heather Horsewood & Darren Barwick

North west team expands with senior private client and property hires

Ward Hadaway—Paul Wigham

Ward Hadaway—Paul Wigham

Firm boosts corporate team in Newcastle to support high-growth technology businesses

NEWS

NOTICE UNDER THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925

HERBERT SMITH STAFF PENSION SCHEME (THE “SCHEME”)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925
Law firm HFW is offering clients lawyers on call for dawn raids, sanctions issues and other regulatory emergencies
From gender-critical speech to notice periods and incapability dismissals, employment law continues to turn on fine distinctions. In his latest employment law brief for NLJ, Ian Smith of Norwich Law School reviews a cluster of recent decisions, led by Bailey v Stonewall, where the Court of Appeal clarified the limits of third-party liability under the Equality Act
Non-molestation orders are meant to be the frontline defence against domestic abuse, yet their enforcement often falls short. Writing in NLJ this week, Jeni Kavanagh, Jessica Mortimer and Oliver Kavanagh analyse why the criminalisation of breach has failed to deliver consistent protection
Assisted dying remains one of the most fraught fault lines in English law, where compassion and criminal liability sit uncomfortably close. Writing in NLJ this week, Julie Gowland and Barny Croft of Birketts examine how acts motivated by care—booking travel, completing paperwork, or offering emotional support—can still fall within the wide reach of the Suicide Act 1961
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