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25 July 2025
Issue: 8126 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Civil way
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NLJ this week: Matrimonialisation, missed post & protocol inertia

Retired district judge Stephen Gold delivers a brisk tour of recent civil procedure developments in his latest Civil Way column for NLJ

A revised E2 form for financial remedy cases is now live, boasting a ‘grand totals’ box and clearer formatting—plus a nod to traditional gendered labels. Meanwhile, the Price Marking (Amendment) Order 2025 delays grocery pricing reforms until April 2026.

Domestic abuse victims and care leavers are now exempt from local connection tests for social housing. Postal service woes continue, with nearly a quarter of first-class mail arriving late—raising questions about CPR 6.14’s service assumptions.

In MH Site Maintenance v Watson, the Court of Appeal clarified that courts can intervene in stalled pre-action protocol claims if protective Part 8 proceedings exist. Finally, in Standish v Standish, the Supreme Court endorsed ‘matrimonialisation’—the transformation of non-matrimonial assets into shared property—while rejecting a narrow interpretation.

Gold’s commentary is sharp, witty and packed with procedural punch.

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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