Litigation/Dispute Resolution
Funder challenges charity’s £30m “windfall” from Mastercard settlement
The Access to Justice Foundation should not make more out of the Mastercard settlement than the funder who took all the risks, the High Court has been told.
Group litigation “could cost the UK economy £18bn”
The rise of group litigation in the UK could cost the economy almost £18bn, a free market thinktank based in Brussels has estimated.
Suspension for solicitor who acted on both sides of case
A solicitor whose firm acted for both sides in litigation over a debt, despite him being told of the obvious conflict, has been suspended for six months.
Call to expand remit of inquiries amid debate over “too many lawyers”
Expanding the remit of public inquiries to award compensation, prefer criminal indictments and recommend regulatory sanctions, could improve their effectiveness, the head of the Post Office inquiry team has said.
Arbitrators who use AI warned against “cognitive inertia”
Arbitrators who use artificial intelligence in their decisions have been warned against “cognitive inertia” in new guidelines from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Court issues stark warning to lawyers over AI-generated fake cases
The president of the King’s Bench Division today issued a stark warning to lawyers about the serious consequences they will face for misusing AI before the courts.
Profession welcomes CJC report – except FCA oversight of law firms
This week’s Civil Justice Council report on litigation funding has received a positive reaction from the profession, except the idea of the FCA co-regulating law firms with ‘portfolio funding’.
Post Office KC stresses advocacy role for juniors in inquiries
Being on the barrister team for public inquiries can “stifle career development” despite the prestige if there is little actual advocacy involved, according to the head of the Post Office inquiry team.
CJC calls for “urgent” government review of SSB-style funding
The government needs to urgently investigate the type of litigation funding used by collapsed law firms like SSB Law and Pure Legal, the Civil Justice Council said yesterday.
CJC calls for “light-touch regulation” of third-party litigation funding
The Civil Justice Council working party on litigation funding today recommended the introduction of “light-touch regulation” through legislation.
Senior lawyers front class actions against tech giants
Two lawyers – a retired deputy High Court judge and a former Crown prosecutor – are fronting multi-billion-pound opt-out collective actions against Microsoft and Google.
CJC calls for “central hub” to develop digital inclusion strategy
The Civil Justice Council has called for the creation of a “central hub” to develop a strategy for digital inclusion and make sure access to justice is a priority.
Restraint order for businessman over continued pursuit of law firms
The High Court has issued an extended civil restraint order against a businessman who has “refused to accept” that his failed £55m claim against two law firms is at an end.
Merricks funder: £23m profit on £46m investment “not reasonable”
The litigation funder in the Mastercard collective action has hit out at the CAT’s decision to allow it a £23m profit on its seven-year, £46m investment in the case.
Arbitral tribunal panels lacking in diversity, IBA finds
There is “a strong consensus” that ethnic diversity is good for arbitrations – but little evidence of this being reflected in the make-up of panels, a report for the IBA has found.
Blog
Civil enforcement – progress at last with CJC report
‘When do I get my money?’ is a question that litigators acting for successful parties are used to fielding. The value of judgments is of course in the recovery made.
Paralegals: Progression and recognition are key to retaining talent
Many lawyers could not do their jobs without the support of paralegals and for law firms to remain competitive, paralegals need to be central to their business.
PII excess: a growing risk for consultant solicitors
As more solicitors choose to work as consultants, a concerning contractual trend has emerged – the passing of professional indemnity insurance excess liabilities onto consultants.
