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
Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly
Gateley Legal expands Midlands residential development team
Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees
Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees
Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron
Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes
NEWS
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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