THIS ISSUE
Amanda Pinto QC reflects on an unprecedented, but privileged, first six months as Bar Council chair
The Law Commission’s reforms represent a better deal for leaseholders, say Nick Hopkins & Rebecca Sage
Before signing off for the summer break, Ian Smith tackles some small but mighty points of interpretation
The first electronically signed deed has been submitted for a house sale, in a historic moment for lawyers
A further five Crown courts have been cleared for jury trials to resume, bringing the total number hearing jury trials to 62, out of a total of 77 courts open
The £4.7m estate of deceased priest, teacher and convicted paedophile Michael Studdert must be frozen to give victims time to bring compensation claims, the High Court has ordered
Two Lady Justices and six Lord Justices of Appeal have been appointed
Nominations have opened for Next 100 Years’ annual Inspirational Women in Law Awards, which recognise women excelling in their career and helping to promote opportunities for other women
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor of the High Court, has been appointed as the next Master of the Rolls, and Sir Keith Lindblom appointed Senior President of Tribunals
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams
Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant
Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias
International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner
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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