THIS ISSUE
As members prepare for an expected spike in litigation, LSLA president Chris Bushell (pictured) is determined to ensure that mental health and diversity and inclusion remain key priorities for London’s litigators
A survey of 550 general counsel and business leaders by law firm Hogan Lovells, ‘Litigation Landscape: How to prevail when technology fails’, has found businesses frequently leave themselves exposed to potential lawsuits and fines when investing in technology
In its January 2021 budget recommendations to the Treasury this week, the Bar Council has called for an extra £55m to improve the ‘dirty and unsafe’ conditions in courts, an extra 42 Nightingale Courts on top of the 18 currently operating, non-means-tested legal aid for domestic abuse victims and early access to legal advice for welfare and benefits issues, both of which have increased during the pandemic
The chief inspectors for prisons, police, probation and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have expressed ‘grave concerns’ about the long-term impact of court backlogs
A landmark Court of Appeal decision has paved the way for the use of damages based agreements (DBAs), where the lawyer is paid a share of the client’s award, and hybrid DBAs
Solicitors have won the right to have civil legal aid bills assessed by specialist judges, following legal action brought by the Law Society
The Law Society has proposed a two-week ‘pause’ of non-custodial Crown and magistrates’ court work, amid rising fears about the new Coronavirus variant
Lawyers have hailed a Supreme Court judgment on COVID-19 insurance cover, which could save thousands of jobs
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has stayed proceedings against a Magic Circle partner involved in a settlement 22 years ago between the former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and one of his victims
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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