Harriet Wistrich’s desert songs
Founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice was Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs castaway.
Read all about it! GLP goes dark
Obiter was intrigued to spot a job advertisement offering an insight into one of Good Law Project’s latest crusades.
High Court slashes costs in Prince Harry and others' case against newspaper
Senior Master Cook and Mr Justice Nicklin described the combined £38.8m total costs sought by both parties as 'manifestly excessive'.
Just one solicitor appointed KC in annual silk round - again
Five solicitors applied in 2024 competition but only one was successful. None of 10 Black applicants was appointed.
Compliance officer and firm each fined £25,000 for multiple rule breaches
Residual balances left unchecked, client account shortfalls and non-compliance with AML regulations.
CoA allows naming of 'historic judges' in Sara Sharif case
Judge who restricted the naming of three judges had no jurisdiction to do so, Court of Appeal finds in unanimous decision.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer shines spotlight on Belarus
Lawyers in Belarus face 'criminal sanctions, arbitrary detention and systematic harassment'.
Society counsels caution over JR curbs
Law Society president Richard Atkinson says any reforms must balance efficiency with access to justice.
High Court slashes SFO’s damages bill in ongoing litigation with mining giant
Judgment dismisses Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation’s amendments to include additional damages of more than $90m.
Civil legal aid: MoJ consults on higher fees
Ministry of Justice says proposals will increase overall spend by 25% for housing work and 30% for immigration work.
HM Land Registry staff 'work to rule' over compulsory office attendance
Union says action will have a huge impact on service delivery while Land Registry says it will cause minimal impact.
Starmer vows to take on 'Nimbys' with JR curbs
Judicial review avenues would be restricted for people opposing major infrastructure projects.
Mastercard litigation: £2 for each claimant, up to £100m for funder
Proposed settlement figures revealed ahead of Competition Appeal Tribunal hearing to bring marathon litigation to a close.
Manager cleared of wrongdoing over source-of-funds investigation
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said the solicitor’s conduct was ‘reasonable and in accordance with his obligations as the firm’s compliance officer for legal practice’.
YouGov survey: most clients happy with their solicitor, but would shun AI
Law Society research also finds that most people do not believe the justice system treats everyone equally.
Starmer blasts 'Nimbys and zealots gumming up the legal system'
‘Current rules don’t work’, prime minister writes ahead of annnouncement on judicial review reform.
Liberties at stake in rush for justice
There are several ways in which justice can be expedited without root-and-branch changes.
City solicitor's KC slams 'defective' SRA as tribunal throws out allegation
Defending a Baker McKenzie lawyer, Greg Treverton-Jones KC accuses 'inconsistent' regulator of trying to ‘throw the book’ at his client.
CAT resolves ‘carriage dispute’ in £2.5bn class action
Tribunal picks legal academic over trade association to act as prospective class representative.
Treasury intervenes in motor finance Supreme Court showdown
Chancellor Rachel Reeves concerned for motor industry - but lawyers stand to make millions from court win.
Friends reunited as SRA chief jumps ship
Deputy chief executive Juliet Oliver moves on after 10 years at the regulator.
Ruling addresses medical fee breakdown controversy
Medical agency refused to give breakdown of its fees for arranging expert report.
Punish more offenders in the community, Society tells Gauke review
Chancery Lane says sentencing review provides golden opportunity to explore alternatives to custody.
ChatGPT leaves claimant cheesed-off
Judge shares concerns that a claimant, who alleged she was unfairly dismissed for making a protected disclosure over mouldy cheese, did not understand her case.
Growing Midlands firm seeks more than 50 recruits
Firm says surge in demand requires more staff at all levels to be taken on.
Been there, done that Sir Brian
Former Queen’s Bench president wants lawyers to give him ‘ambitious’ evidence and ideas that ‘challenge current thinking’.
Life in the Law: LawCare announces wellbeing and mental health survey
Mental wellbeing charity is urging individuals in the sector to respond to initiative which will lead to recommendations on better working practices.
In depth: Journalists test scope of family court transparency initiative
The family court’s transparency drive is being tested as journalists seek to overturn an order restraining the identification of judges involved in proceedings relating to the murdered Sara Sharif.
MPs to probe county court work amid growing delays
Inquiry will address current delays in the county court, accessibility and judicial capacity.
Judges should block legal privilege abuses, say top legal academics
Working paper prompted by Post Office scandal argues that privilege could also be qualified to prevent corporations leaning on it to cover up wrongdoing.
TikTok lawyer probed by SRA over video share
Teacher accepts ‘substantial’ damages following sharing of doctored doorstep video.
Government rethinks ‘Computer must be right’ rule
Ministry of Justice opens call for evidence following wrongful convictions of sub-postmasters in the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Litigation funder buys UK law firm and pledges ‘one-stop shop’
Heirloom Fair Legal says it wants to bring an ethical outlook to litigation funding.
Judges' union urges removal of Pitcher as JAC chief
Trade union GMB's judicial branch says Pitcher's role has become untenable after she quit the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Resemblance between discounter's cider and Thatchers 'cannot be coincidental', CoA rules
Court of Appeal finds that budget supermarket Aldi infringed Somerset cider-maker's trade mark.
SRA imposes maximum £25,000 fine over AML failings
Regulator says rule breaches at Reading-headquartered firm caused potential for harm.
Judge blames courts backlog after jury questions rape trial delays
Case involving the physical and sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl took four years to reach court.
'Government will not be cowed': Hermer reassures MPs on legal risk guidance
Atttorney general says previous guidance for government lawyers advising on lawfulness risked diluting legal standards.
Jailed solicitor’s ex-wife is subject of SFO’s first unexplained wealth order
Serious Fraud Office describes the order requiring information on £1.5 million Lake District property as a ‘milestone’.
Tribunal member given formal advice after falling asleep
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office is told of 'collapse' as a result of a medical condition.
SRA shuts down high-profile influencer's firm over dishonesty suspicion
Regulator had already brought prosecution against entrepreneur, author and podcaster, who has been suspended.
In depth: Class action bandwagon checked
The runaway growth of collective proceedings has prompted a rearguard action from business lobbyists. Developments in landmark cases including Mastercard and Apple may also slow the juggernaut.
MoJ funding extension to save immigration solicitors hundreds of pounds
Law Society president says extended deal will save some firms thousands of pounds and help retain talent in a challenging sector.
Court of Appeal rules out revocation of adoption order
Teenage siblings had supported application after moving back with their birth mother.
Lead divorce judge gives guidance on reconciliation and final orders
Case before His Honour Judge Simmonds highlights that parties 'need to reflect' and 'reconciliation may be gradual'.
Law Society identifies key concerns over TA6 property information form
Chancery Lane working with independent research agency to analyse findings of more than 1,200 consultation responses.
City firm cleared by SDT left with £291,000 costs bill
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal made no cost order following six-day hearing of AML charges.
SRA investigates as Scots firm’s demise hits thousands south of the border
McClure Solicitors went into administration in 2021, leaving a trail of complaints about property and assets held in trust.
Call for wider NDA ban after university law change
Misuse of non-disclosure agreements can now be outlawed across the board, say lobbyists.
Midlands firms to retain identities in triple acquisition
Askews Legal says acquired firms which double its headcount will not be ‘swallowed up’ by deal.
MoJ silent on Pitcher's future as JAC chief
Helen Pitcher says she intends to complete the remaining year of her appointment leading the body that selects candidates for judicial office.
Attorney general refuses to answer MPs on representing Gerry Adams
Richard Hermer KC asked about former Sinn Fein president during House of Commons justice select committee session.
CMS launches another redundancy round
Partners thought to be unaffected by potential loss of jobs in London.
Listed firms defy market volatility to report positive results
Underlying profits and revenue both increasing at Gateley and Knights.
Funding regulator 'monitoring' Mastercard row
Funder Innsworth to challenge settlement approval in Competition Appeal Tribunal hearing next month.
Barristers' 'zeal' for their clients putting ethics in doubt
Matters such as the Post Office scandal have highlighted issues with duty to the court, suggests regulator.
Local law society chooses new president aged 28
Family law specialist Kerry Read, who has been a solicitor for only four years, has become Norfolk and Norwich Law Society's new president.
Axiom Ince Five appear before magistrates
Pragnesh Modhwadia, Shyam Mistry and three other former Axiom executives have been bailed until their next court date in February.
Two former partners struck off over property title dishonesty
One partner had sought to blame the other but his defence was rejected by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Simmons rewards Bristol-based NQs with bumper pay rise
International firm makes 'bold statement' with salary increase that will see newly qualified solicitors earn £96,000 a year.
CCRC chief quits alleging she was 'scapegoated' over Malkinson
Ministry of Justice welcomes resignation after lord chancellor commenced process to remove Helen Pitcher from post.
Law firms warned about risks of sham litigation
SRA issues guidance on detecting and preventing money laundering perpetrated through fake litigation.
Commission extends consultation deadline on disabled children's social care
Reforms would see a duty to assess clearly set out in law and an end to the postcode lottery for accessing services.
Lawyer alarm at Sun’s 'will on the phone' headline
Newspaper reported on Max George, a member of pop band The Wanted, making plans ahead of an emergency heart operation.
Former Mishcon director wins ET claim over commission
Commercial chief's resignation letter accused firm of 'complete lack of respect, honesty and professionalism'.
CoA hears challenge to ban on naming judges in Sara Sharif family case
High Court order banning naming of judges involved in family court proceedings is at centre of Court of Appeal hearing.
AI Action Plan: solicitors call for regulatory clarity
'Barely an aspect of our society that will remain untouched by this force of change': Starmer introduces AI action plan.
Professional negligence trial adjourned after counsel taken ill
Prejudice to defendant from refusing adjournment outweighs the other factors, judge rules.
Judge slams council as he denies birth mother contact with four-year-old child
Judgment follows report last November which called for ‘greater focus’ on direct contact with birth parents.
LPA firm investigated by BBC silent on legal action threat
Firm said last month it was considering suing the broadcaster, while denying allegations of misconduct.
In depth: Should law firms pressure staff to get back to the office?
UK plc and public sector organisations are ramping up pressure on staff to come in to the office as pandemic memories fade. Law firms seeking to follow suit need to be aware that there are risks attached.
Firm colleagues barred over drug dealing convictions
Couple reportedly sold drugs to friends and made thousands of pounds in weeks.
Profit slips on soaring turnover at litigation specialist Quinn
Gross income at London office rises 12% to exceed £200m for the first time.
Leveson seeks 'ambitious' evidence for criminal courts review
Former Queen's Bench Division president will report back to the lord chancellor with reform options this spring.
Ceasefire in Rosenblatt saga as sale talks under way
Parties agree to drop any ongoing action in acrimonious dispute during acquisition negotiations.
Family seeks record £2bn over football stadium helicopter crash
Law firm Stewarts' Technology and Construction Courts case could be the biggest fatal accident claim in English history.
Solicitors among reappointed CCRC commissioners
The three reappointees will be in post for five years until the end of May 2029.
Trainee barred for misleading firm about request for leave
Firm was told after leave was taken that trainee had actually been at a court hearing.
Fast-growing bulk claims firm 'on sound financial footing' despite £13.5m loss
Manchester business says it has huge portfolio of work in progress after taking on thousands of new cases.
Jailed solicitor ordered to pay back £1m proceeds of crime
Serious Fraud Office continues investigation into sums accrued by Timothy Schools, who ran a bogus investment scheme.
Reprieve for archive of historic wills
'Indispensable bridge to the lives of those who came before us' will be preserved, minister says.
RBG optimistic that talks can stave off insolvency
Law firm owner says discussions are ‘well advanced’ about providing enough cash to keep going.
Family court transparency push goes national
Change to the Family Procedure Rules and new practice directions mean journalists and legal bloggers will be able to report on cases in any family court.
No 'silver bullet' for Crown court backlog, top mandarin warns
Permanent secretary tells MPs numbers will continue to rise without ‘significant’ additional reforms.
Complaints about courts service rocket
Figures have increased every year but one in the past decade, reaching a new record in 2023.
Broken boiler forces closure of city’s combined court building
Urgent works under way amid reports that cells are too cold to accommodate prisoners.
Obituary: Joe Bateman
Bateman set up Batemans Solicitors at the age of 22 from his mother's front room, with his grandmother as his receptionist.
Creditors suffer huge losses from firm’s collapse
Work in progress at High Street Solicitors was sold to another firm which was subsequently shut down by SRA.
Regular 'check-ins' under new bar chief's wellbeing drive
Working group will be set up to explore options to help barristers avoid chronic fatigue, burnout and illness.
SDT allows ‘under pressure’ solicitor who backdated letter to continue in practice
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal orders 12-months suspension to be suspended for two years.