District judge who raised his voice given formal advice
JCIO says office holder admitted to ‘showing a degree of irritation’ to a party in a case.
Heaven and Hull for cup-winning solicitor
Solicitor Neil Hudgell's Hull KR team beat Warrington in the final of rugby league’s Challenge Cup.
Solicitor accuses international firm of ‘quadruplication’ of costs bill
Prominent practitioner faces paying indemnity costs to Kennedys Law’s client, the Transcription Agency, after a failed GDPR claim
In depth: Civil Justice Council review is a (qualified) victory for litigation funders
The number one recommendation of the CJC’s final report on litigation funding is to reverse PACCAR. But there is much else that will also please the industry.
Crypto fraud victims could get new window on 'persons unknown'
Law Commission proposes new information order to simplify the first stages of fraud claims.
Round the island in nine breezy hours
'We were somewhat damp,' Law Society Yacht Club members report.
Sentencing Council chair dies suddenly at 70
Lord Justice William Davis was 'one of the very best criminal judges of his generation,' lady chief justice says.
Punish defence lawyers throwing around dishonesty slurs, say claimants
‘Scattergun’ approach of hoping something will stick is on the rise, according to claimant group.
Solicitor acted for claimant and defendant
Practitioner showed a 'cavalier attitude' to the rules of professional conduct, tribunal finds.
Firm’s legal aid appeal dismissed - but determining officer’s reasons questioned
Defence claimed for 6,450 pages of prosecution evidence in exposure case but was allowed only 109.
‘Fake’ citations: Civil Justice Council sets up AI working group
Lawyers need to actually read documents that they use artificial intelligence to summarise, stresses Lord Justice Birss.
LiP service and monkey business
I had several dealings with litigants in person, few of which seemed to work in my favour.
'We added to the trauma': BSB apologises to Sidhu complainants
Bar standards watchdog apologises for adding to the trauma of an 'already distressing situation'.
LIDW: Getting to the church on time
Southwark Cathedral hosts London International Disputes Week's opening reception.
Clock ticking for legal walk teams
You have until midnight tonight (6 June) to register for the biggest access to justice fundraising event in the legal calendar.
Cripps and Michelmores in merger talks
Combination would create £100m firm covering southern and south-west England.
Former bar chair Timothy Dutton dies at 68
'Man of uncompromising principle' retired in January after 45 years at the bar - and a decade after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake case citations
Judges point to ‘lamentable failure to comply with the basic requirement to check the accuracy of material that is put before the court’.
Collaboration between lawyers sparks surge in clin neg settlements
‘Professional, trusting and respectful’ relationship between claimant and defence lawyers is reaping dividends, says NHS chief.
Mahmood obtains injunctions over hacked LAA data
Injunctions prevent hackers and third parties disclosing or publishing data obtained from Legal Aid Agency's digital systems.
Bar Council fires warning over Harman bullying probe leak
Draft content seen by Channel 4 News had been shared with individuals who submitted evidence as part of fact-checking process.
Linklaters employee groped colleague on staff night out
SRA says conduct was serious as it was directed at a junior colleague.
Rape complainants to be given right to second prosecution opinion
People claiming to have suffered rape and sexual assaults can ask for a different prosecutor to review their case if it faces the prospect of being dropped.
PI clients' data protection claim ‘abusive’, High Court hears
Judgment reserved following the day and a half trial at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Tributes for ‘bright talent’ who died before she could start solicitor apprenticeship
Lily Lammond leaves lasting legacy through fundraising for charitable causes.
Class action chief's podcast comments raised in contempt proceedings
Pogust Goodhead chief executive Tom Goodhead had vowed to become a mining giant’s ‘absolute worst nightmare’ in group litigation.
GC network partners with law firm to promote wellbeing
Sessions will explore a day in the life of a senior in-house lawyer and driving an organisational culture of wellbeing.
Two smaller practices agree to be merged into regional firms
Alsters Kelley extends its presence in Oxfordshire; JCP Solicitors moves into Port Talbot.
Solicitor intended to cause offence with antisemitic tweets, SDT told
Firm director denies allegation against him and says social media posts were made in a private capacity.
Call for long-service medal to boost magistrate morale
Magistrates Assocation publishes seven recommendations which will help ‘create a sustainable foundation for the future of the magistracy’.
Unmusical chairs in the Rolls Building
Clerk takes a dim view of attempt to bag public seats.
Ministers pressed on humanist weddings
MP says High Court ruling paves a quick and simple way for legally binding ceremonies.
Courts to have ‘open justice champions’
Regionally based civil servants will provide a single point of contact to help the public observe cases, Mr Justice Nicklin says.
CJC calls for costs budgeting in group claims
Enhanced costs management should start as soon as possible, says working group.
Six in 10 women suffered sex discrimination in past five years
Next 100 Years chief urges firms to redouble their commitment to workplace equality and empower women to speak out.
LIDW: No place for conscientious objection, says Chalk
Firms warned to tread carefully when lawyers express objections by manifesting a protected belief.
Gallery: LIDW unwinds with Law Rocks!
London's Scala venue was rocking until the small hours as six bands put on a rousing London International Disputes Week show.
Compliance officers 'overwhelmed' as SRA dishes out £77k fine
Firm failed to comply with rules on client checks for three years but there was no evidence of any harm.
'No excuse': Claims firm failed to pay minimum wage to 72 workers
Government says sums due have now been paid to staff.
CCRC finally welcomes interim chair
Dame Vera Baird KC’s term will run from June 2025 to December 2026.
Ex-managing partner must pay £210k costs of failed employment tribunal claim
Michael Willis had half-share in home worth up to £2.2m and tribunal did not err in law by considering equity release.
CCRC applicant accused rape victim of not appearing 'sufficiently traumatised'
Applicants asking Criminal Cases Review Commission to look at social media posts as proof of miscarriage of justice.
Ban for solicitor who worked for three firms at once
Belinda Sarkodie had submitted timesheets claiming payment for the same hours on the same dates from the firms, SDT rules.
LIDW: Cherie Blair laments 'weaponisation' of conflict resolution
Omnia Strategy founder also wants arbitral tribunals to get tough on parties who play ‘fast and loose’ with their financial obligations.
Staff awarded redundancy pay after sudden SRA shutdown
Payments will be covered by government if closed firm has insufficient assets.
Tribunal dismisses discrimination claims against Pogust Goodhead
Firm opened call centre when it was ‘not adequately prepared…to ensure full compliance with its employment relations obligations’.
Ethical issues should not be overstated - Law Society
Solicitors’ representative body insists that most of its members know what good ethics looks like.
Law firms join rush to Birmingham’s legal heart
Ward Hadaway one of a clutch of firms opening offices in Birmingham’s city centre.
Consultant not entitled to 40% share of fees
Employment Appeal Tribunal finds consequences of lawyer's interpretation of consultancy agreement 'border on the ludicrous'.
Dishonest solicitor avoids strike-off over ‘moment of madness’
Highly-regarded associate said she was in a ‘haze’ due to work pressures and health issues.
Reverse PACCAR judgment now, says CJC
Civil Justice Council also recommends 'light-touch' statutory regulation of litigation funding but rejects caps on funders' returns.
DWF partner fined over million-pound payment error
SDT accepts agreed outcome saying the £14,000 fine was ‘a reasonable and proportionate sanction’.
Struck-out claims revived as judge warns against 'mini-trials'
Sir Peter Lane criticises summary judgment approach in personal injury case.
Job done? Here's how to complain: SRA proposes new conduct rule
Solicitors should not be afraid of encouraging complaints, regulator says.
International disputes week: London sets out its stall
Thousands of lawyers from more than 100 jurisdictions to attend as minister opens commercial disputes jamboree.
Rebuff for JAC as judge seeks information on recruitment
First-tier tribunal prohibits information commissioner and JAC submissions in appeal over disclosure.
Minority Anexo investors accuse buyers of conspiracy
Anexo states it is complying with its legal duties and dismisses shareholders' allegations as 'speculation'.
Family firm overturns ombudsman’s £15,700 award
High Court judge reduces the costs awarded to the firm to ‘reflect the court’s disapproval’ of firm’s failure to file relevant evidence at the appropriate time.
Dana Denis-Smith to be Society president in 2027
Founder of First 100 Years project elected deputy vice president of the Law Society of England and Wales.
Hermer: No pick and mix on international law
Attorney general blasts both 'pseudo realists' and 'romantic idealists' in speech citing the rise of the Nazis.
Pioneer firm's paralegals devastated by apprenticeship funding cut
Personal injury practice says nearly all of its legal apprentices would have missed out on crucial funding under the new arrangements.
Barristers to be forced to come clean on client complaints
Information could be collected direct from chambers to improve oversight of complaints-handling, watchdog says.
Second Daily Mail 'sting' solicitor cleared of misconduct
Immigration adviser conducted an initial exploratory meeting and did not advise on fabricating evidence for an asylum claim, tribunal finds.
Memory lane
An embarrassing question to ask during divorce proceedings and the Society’s centenary celebrations: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Axiom Ince collapse has ‘negatively affected trust in solicitors’, says lord chancellor
High-profile implosion dented public confidence in solicitors and brought ethics into the spotlight, says Shabana Mahmood.
SRA chief executive: 'Essential that we learn'
Statement contrasts with combative response to independent review into the collapse of Axiom Ince.
What the SRA must do – the key prescriptions
Governance, risk, authorisation, client money, sales, mergers and acquisitions, and pre-intervention.
York firm shuns buyout option to become employee-owned
Long-serving legal executive brought onto board as staff representative.
SRA sanctioned over Axiom Ince failures
LSB issues 'binding directions' designed to ensure regulator identifies and responds to risks more effectively.
Trix of the trade
Law commission says its recommendations for electronic wills would ensure the law is fit for purpose for the modern age; but not everything is being updated.
Top Indian firm joins CMS network
INDUSLAW remains an independent firm while operating under the international firm's brand.
Solicitors could still face sanction for delays caused by other parties, LeO warns
When a client complains, the ombudsman will want to see evidence firms tried to progress matters.
Litigant handed restraint order after bringing meritless claims against solicitors
Swedish businessman ‘bombarded the court with letters and emails’ and 'refused to take "no" for an answer'.
Judge condemns late disclosure in life-support child case
Forcing counsel to ask for disclosure was 'professionally beyond discourteous'.
'Grave concerns' as Istanbul bar chief faces criminal trial
European lawyers offer 'solidarity and support' over charges for 'terrorist propaganda' and 'public dissemination of misleading information'.
Public to see data on 'avoidable' conveyancing errors
Current data published by HM Land Registry does not distinguish between avoidable and unavoidable errors.
Wrong numbers
Misnumbering of court bundles is ‘only too common’, an unimpressed Court of Appeal judge tells litigants.
BSB ditches new diversity duty for barristers
Bar Council led backlash against new measure for advancing equality.
'Lawfare': Pogust Goodhead attacks Brazil's 'abusive clauses' action
Brazilian authorities seek £6 million compensation from UK firm over Mariana dam group claim.
DfE scales back funding cut for solicitor-apprentices
Solicitor-apprentices will be funded until they turn 22 and support will continue for existing apprentices over 21.
Views sought on permanent closure of Lancaster Crown Court
Crown court within a 12th century castle has not been used since 2019 and costs £211,000 a year to maintain.
Judge throws out 'blunderbuss' Trump order against law firm
Washington court rules that 'unconstitutional' act of retaliation 'casts a chill over whole legal profession'.
Ex-boss of collapsed firm wins unfair dismissal claim
Managing partner left London office of US business before it closed last September.
In depth: Poor communication driving complaints, private client conference hears
Some solicitors are providing written information too late, or exceeding cost estimates without warning clients.
Hill treats blues
Everton Football Club has unveiled an exclusive sponsor for its new Bramley Moor Dock home, but will it stick?
Solicitor relied on client’s fake authorities, High Court hears
President of the King’s Bench Division and Mr Justice Johnson reserve judgment in two cases involving fake citations.
Mahmood trims judges' pay rise
Lord chancellor rejects 4.75% pay recommendation and says her decision strikes right balance between official advice and what her department can afford.
Barrister did not appreciate seriousness of fake citations, High Court hears
Hearing before the King's Bench president is dealing with two separate cases - one involving a barrister and a law centre and the other a solicitor.
LAA cyber attack: firms risk doing unpaid work
Solicitors fear legal aid might not be granted when they try to get applications backdated as coalition of law societies demands LAA provide better support.
In depth: Mastercard - how will the £200m be distributed?
The £200m settlement in the high-profile Mastercard claim could potentially benefit 44 million people. Yet payouts could go as low as £2.50, raising difficult questions about the outlook for class actions.