Solicitors Journal Insights | Latest Legal News, Updates & Professional News

Probate fraud concerns highlighted by removal

Concerns over probate fraud have escalated following the Government's withdrawal of the Bona Vacantia list

Navigating the crosscurrents: learning points from the Independent Water Commission’s interim report

Nicola Williams, a Partner at Eversheds Sutherland, explains what the interim report could mean for the future of the water sector and the legal professionals working within it

Magistrates’ Association praises Leveson review

The Magistrates’ Association has endorsed Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the criminal courts, advocating for its implementation to address the backlog affecting justice for victims, witnesses and defendants

High Court upholds injunction against environmental activists targeting energy infrastructure

Court maintains protection for critical UK energy sites against Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil protests

High Court discharges undertaking in Babco Chemicals fraud case against HSBC

High Court permits wider investigation scope in push payment fraud claim

Pharos Offshore Group Limited v Keynvor Morlift Limited: Marine contracting obligations and external factors

Key insights from contractual dispute over Viking Link project delays

SJ Interview: Gary Gallen

The Solicitors Journal speaks to the Founder and CEO of rradar

Playing politics with the rule of law

Populist attacks on legal limits threaten to redefine sovereignty and reshape Britain’s constitutional future, warns Mark Elliot

Kennedys appoints first chief operating officer

Kennedys has appointed Tracy Watkinson as its first Chief Operating Officer, enhancing the firm's leadership structure

Corrs guides L1 Capital merger plans

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has provided legal guidance on L1 Capital's merger with Platinum Asset Management, highlighting the strategic importance of the deal for Australian funds management

More of the Latest Legal News and Court Reports

Law Society Client Protection Fund praised

11 Jul 2025

Advance decisions to refuse treatment

11 Jul 2025

Concerns raised over jury removal plans

11 Jul 2025

Bell-King v Network Rail: Procedural compliance and judicial review challenges for litigants in person

10 Jul 2025

Government must not cherry-pick ideas

10 Jul 2025

Understanding protected acts in the workplace

10 Jul 2025

Changes to NDAs in workplaces

10 Jul 2025

Unbundled legal services reach new heights

10 Jul 2025

Wadhurst Parish Council v Secretary of State clarifies AONB development duties

9 Jul 2025

Court Report

Republic of India v CC/Devas arbitration ruling addresses complex jurisdictional challenges

High Court ruling explores arbitration representation disputes involving insolvent Mauritian companies and India

Cambridge traffic regulation order challenge dismissed by High Court

High Court rejects judicial review of Cambridge bus gate order amid consultation concerns

Court of Appeal upholds agency worker rights in aviation sector employment dispute

Court of Appeal reinforces agency worker protections and equal treatment rights

Kevin Cooper v Ludgate House Limited establishes crucial precedent for urban development rights

High Court balances leaseholder light rights against London development interests in landmark property case

Opinion

Radical reform of the family courts: one form

Rachel Frost-Smith, Legal Director of the family team at Birketts, reflects on the proposal by Baroness Hale

Standish v Standish and the Supreme Court judgment

Joanna Newton, a Partner at Stowe Family Law, provides her thoughts on the wider implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling

George’s Law

Keeley Lengthorn, a Partner and the Head of Public Law at RWK Goodman, shares her personal journey to securing bereavement leave for parents who lose a pregnancy under 24 weeks

Is this the end of the staff social?

Eleanor Rogers from Constantine Law reviews the impact so far of the new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace

Feature

Coercive and controlling behaviour: progress or an opportunity missed?

Barbara Reeves and Helen Scambler from Mishcon de Reya reflect on the impact of the offence of coercive and controlling behaviour

Can artificial intelligence be trusted for legal research? Lessons from Ayinde

James Tumbridge, a Partner at Keystone Law, looks at the decision in Ayinde, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Haringey [2025] EWHC 1383 (Admin) (6 June 2025) concerning the duties that lawyers owe to the court and the actual or suspected use of artificial intelligence by lawyers to generate legal documents or arguments without adequate checking of the outputs

Modernising wills: revolutionary or evolutionary?

Gemma Shepherd, a Partner at Michelmores, discusses the Law Commission’s report

The proposed Hillsborough law

In this article, Dr Jeffrey Wale, Technical Director at the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL), looks at the proposal to introduce a statutory ‘duty of candour’ on public authorities

Practice Notes

Modernising cross-border criminal justice: why the UK needs a root-and-branch reform

The UK’s outdated legal tools hinder its fight against global crime—comprehensive reform is urgently needed to stay effective.

Protecting the public interest in the practice of law

The SRA relies on self-reporting to function, yet confusion and inertia risk enabling professional misconduct.

Whose truth? Witness Statement and the pursuit of credibility

Although PD57AC aims to restore witness credibility, enforcement remains patchy and manipulation still lurks

High Court ruling affects Havering land

A recent High Court ruling influences how contaminated land is designated, impacting the health of Havering residents

International

AI, data and breaches: security in the age of machine learning

As AI transforms business operations, it also magnifies data breach risks—demanding smarter, AI-specific security strategies from both customers and suppliers

Can you rely on a contract you’ve repudiated? South Africa's SCA says yes - sometimes

In a landmark ruling, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has held that key contractual clauses—such as liability limitations and time bars—can survive even where a party repudiates the contract

The importance of cross-border litigation in an increasingly protectionist world

Commercial Courts are crucial for resolving disputes amid rising economic nationalism and global trade fragmentation

Australia's proposed reforms for preventing psychological injuries

In Australia, the NSW government's proposed reforms aim to reduce psychological injury claims in the workplace and focus on prevention

Business

What the Trump tariffs mean for UK construction

The US trade tariffs will increase costs in many industries, especially construction

Optis v Apple: Court of Appeal redefines FRAND principles for global SEP licensing

Court of Appeal overturns High Court ruling, restoring comparables-based FRAND valuation and reshaping SEP dispute standards.

Eraaya v Elara Capital: High Court Dismisses Mandatory Injunction in £40M Bond Dispute

The analysis of Eraaya Lifespaces Limited v Elara Capital Plc & Ors uncovers crucial financial legal principles

The legal issues surrounding shadow directors and the Matt Haycox case

Matt Haycox’s legal troubles shed light on shadow directorship, director disqualification and cross-border asset disputes.

SJ Interview

SJ Interview: Jinal Shah

For the June 2025 volume Jinal Shah of BCLP speaks to the Solicitors Journal

SJ Interview: Harriet Wistrich

For the May 2025 volume, Harriet Wistrich speaks to the Solicitors Journal about her book 'Sister in Law: Fighting for Justice in a System Designed by Men', which has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction

SJ Interview: Lord David Neuberger

For the April 2025 volume, Lord David Neuberger speaks to the Solicitors Journal

SJ Interview: Honor Giles

Honor Giles, Partner and Mediator at Maguire Family Law speaks to the Solicitors Journal about the changes being implemented to family law and whether further reform is needed

Appointments

Lord Chancellor reappoints barrister members

The Lord Chancellor has reappointed Oliver Hyams and Daniel Warents to the Insolvency Rules Committee for four years beginning in 2025

Clarke Willmott bolsters Cardiff team

Clarke Willmott enhances its financial services disputes team in Cardiff with the appointment of Martin Cox

Dentons expands team with new partner

Dentons has welcomed Ellis Lawson, a trade and commodities finance expert, enhancing its Banking and Finance team in London

CMS increases Finance Disputes capacity

CMS has appointed James Gliddon as a partner in its Finance Disputes team, enhancing client services

Recruitment

Exciting property role at Motus Recruitment

A pioneering company in the property sector is expanding and looking for new talent to join their team in Basingstoke

Senior Legal Counsel 8+ Construction - Hybrid

Property 3+ Hybrid – Bath Area

Rapidly expanding renewables company focusing on solar, wind and storage projects

The unstoppable rise of IT-driven hiring

The recruitment landscape is transforming dramatically as IT solutions, especially LinkedIn, reshape hiring practices and collaboration

Announcements

Norton Rose Fulbright secures Carlsberg contract

Norton Rose Fulbright has been reappointed to Carlsberg Group’s global legal panel for three years

Atlantic and Oriel Chambers merge to form Hundred Court Chambers

A historic merger creates Hundred Court Chambers in Liverpool, enhancing legal services and career opportunities for members and staff

Freeths supports Electric Land's joint venture

Freeths has advised Electric Land on its joint venture with Dais Energy Ventures to develop BESS projects in Germany

KWM advises Greatland on successful IPO

King and Wood Mallesons has successfully guided Greatland Resources through a significant ASX listing process

Events

Exeter lawyer recognised for her dedication

Nicola Rawlinson-Weller wins top legal award for supporting bereaved parents and community improvements

North Wales law firm duo climbs peak

Two directors from North Wales' largest law firm have raised nearly £2,000 for St Kentigern Hospice

London Legal Walk promises unprecedented participation

The Solicitors’ Charity will participate in the 21st London Legal Walk on 17th June 2025 to raise awareness and support legal advice charities in London and the South East

Celebrating the winners of the Pro Bono Awards

The Bar Pro Bono Awards 2025 highlighted exceptional contributions by barristers and initiatives across England and Wales

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