The Civil Justice Council has recommended a raft of changes in a bid to increase the number of law firms willing to take litigation on a damages-based agreement (DBA).
Guest post: Sir John! Sir John! Are we there yet? – lawyerly interventions on Iraq
One of the absurdities of this year’s ‘silly season’ has been another of Britain’s periodic bouts of Chilcot-bashing. When there’s a period of slow news, it seems, journalists remember that Sir John Chilcot was tasked six years ago with inquiring into what we all call simply ‘Iraq’; and that his report is not published yet. There follows a chorus of disapproval, and demands that something be done.
Strike no more: Solicitors call off legal aid protest after 52 days
Solicitors and barristers have called off their legal aid strike after 52 days as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) following discussions over further cuts to fees.
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Judicial watchdog investigates Justice Peter Smith after BA ‘lost luggage’ case
Mr Justice Peter Smith is set to face an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) after his recent recusal from the high-profile litigation involving British Airways (BA).
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Lord Chief Justice calls on Justice Briggs to undertake ‘urgent’ civil courts review
In the latest development of the government’s ongoing push to reform the courts system, the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls, as head of civil justice, this week asked Lord Justice Briggs to carry out an ‘urgent’ review of the structure of the civil justice courts, from the Court of Appeal to County Courts.
‘Tantamount to selling justice like a commodity’: MoJ looks to hike court fees again
Despite ongoing tensions from the profession over legal aid cuts and court reforms, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) continues to push its cost cutting agenda having yesterday (22 July) confirmed a fresh consultation on further court fee increases just months after raising certain civil court fees by 660%.
Supreme Court finds conditional fee agreements in line with human rights treaty
In a decision providing certainty to recovering litigation costs, the Supreme Court has ruled that the costs regime put in place by the Access to Justice Act 1999 (AJA) complies with European Convention on Human Rights.
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Judiciary watchdog sees complaints rise by 20% in first year of new discipline regime
The annual report issued by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) has seen the number of complaints made against judicial office holders rise by 20% last year, with those concerning the High Court rising 88%.
Guest post: Solicitors are lawyers too, Mr Gove – what the Lord Chancellor needs to remember
Michael Gove’s performance before the justice select committee on Wednesday was a skilful one. Thoughtful, reasonable, non-dogmatic – two months into his time as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, he continues to win plaudits simply by virtue of not being Chris Grayling.
MoJ looks to shut one fifth of courts across England and Wales as reform consultation kicks off
The Minstry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a consultation on plans to close one fifth of courts and tribunals across England and Wales in a bid to tackle the issue of ‘underused’ court buildings and to cut costs.