Costs Budgeting ‘Lite’ Set for Expansion After Strong First Year
The Civil Justice Council’s three‑year pilot of a simplified "costs budgeting lite" scheme, limited to business and property claims under £1 million (about $1.28 million), has received strong endorsement from judges and lawyers. Lady Justice Cockerill reported that the streamlined budgeting process cuts the number of cost‑management hearings and lowers overall litigation expenses. The pilot, currently running in Manchester, Leeds and Central London county courts, is slated for expansion to additional district registries. Concurrently, the council is preparing two reports on reforms to the Solicitors Act 1974 and new guideline hourly rates for barristers.
Tribunal Judge's 16-Week Delay Leads to Sanction
A tribunal judge delayed issuing a child‑maintenance decision notice for 16 weeks, prompting a misconduct investigation. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) found the delay breached procedural standards and issued formal advice, the lowest sanction for judicial misconduct. Judge Alex...
Essex Firm Shut Down for Suspected Dishonesty
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has ordered the immediate shutdown of Essex‑based law firm Rainer Hughes after suspecting dishonesty by its manager, Sanjay Panesar, and possible breaches of accounts rules. The intervention, overseen by north‑west firm Stephensons, affects a practice of...
High Court Judge Sanctioned for Delays
A High Court judge, Mr Justice Derek Sweeting, was issued a formal warning for misconduct due to significant delays in delivering judgments in two separate cases. The first case saw an 11‑month gap between the July 2024 hearing and the final...
Costs Success for Banksy over 'Unreasonable' Libel Claim
A UK company, Full Colour Black Ltd trading as Brandalised, sued graffiti artist Banksy and his representative Pest Control over an Instagram post about a Guess window display featuring Banksy’s Flower Thrower image. The High Court found the libel claim...
Spring Mergers: Weightmans Buys Two Firms While arch.law Adds Team
Weightmans announced the acquisition of London‑based Elborne Mitchell and Hull‑focused Myton Law, expanding its core service offering. Elborne Mitchell brings £1.35 million (≈$1.69 million) cash reserves and £1.9 million (≈$2.38 million) net assets, while Myton Law adds £423 000 (≈$529 000) net assets and £269 000 (≈$336 000)...
Solicitor Suspended over Court Order Breaches
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal suspended Matthew Thomas Parish for two years after finding he breached court and anonymity orders, made false complaints to security agencies, and published defamatory press releases. Parish offered to withdraw those complaints in exchange for payment...
Magic Circle Duo Announce Partner Promotions
Linklaters announced 37 new partners worldwide, up from 34 last year, with the bulk in litigation, arbitration and corporate practices. The cohort includes 14 partners in the UK, 12 in Europe, seven in Asia and four in the US. Fieldfisher...
Barristers Push for Government to Keep Its Promise over Specialist Rape Courts
Barristers, led by the Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association, have tabled amendments to the Courts and Tribunals Bill demanding specialist rape courts for bail defendants. They argue that prioritising sexual assault and domestic‑abuse cases in a dedicated jury‑based court...
Family Pet Campaign Secures Parliamentary Bill
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Senior Partner's Evidence 'Lacking Credibility' In Client Dispute
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Call for Training and Appraisals to Improve Treatment of Defendants
The article was not provided, so specific details are unavailable. Consequently, a concrete summary cannot be generated. However, the topic likely concerns calls for improved training and performance appraisals to enhance how defendants are treated within the justice system. The...
SRA Sorry for Late Correspondence to Jailed Solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) apologised for a prolonged delay in sending correspondence to Linda Lu, a solicitor serving a five‑and‑half‑year prison term for stalking. The regulator’s letter, intended to facilitate Lu's response to allegations, arrived only in mid‑March despite...
'Deplorable' Mesh Implant Solicitor Banned for Deceiving Clients
Trusted solicitor Darren Hanison was struck off after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found he engaged in a series of deceptive practices while handling vaginal mesh implant claims. The tribunal identified 17 misconduct allegations, including falsifying after‑the‑event (ATE) insurance policies, misrepresenting settlement...
Legal Representative 'Desert' In Domestic Abuse Cases, Peers Told
Courts in Newcastle, Devon and Cambridge are struggling to secure qualified legal representatives (QLRs) for domestic‑abuse trials under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Solicitor Elspeth Thomson described these locations as a "QLR desert" and cited a study of 35 judgments...