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

Trainee solicitors receive pay increase

The Law Society of Scotland has raised recommended minimum pay for trainee solicitors amid rising living costs and inflationary stresses

Bar Standards Board report on innovation

The Bar Standards Board has published a report identifying both challenges and opportunities for barristers in technology adoption

How leasing models are reshaping maritime funding

Frederik Lorenzen explains how Asian leasing models are challenging Western dominance in global ship finance

Court ruling shapes patent infringement cases

The High Court addressed key issues in patent infringement, including interest and cross-border claims involving Lufthansa

Court ruling highlights breaches of confidentiality

A recent High Court judgment underscores the importance of maintaining court confidentiality in legal proceedings

Bank Audi lawsuit highlights consumer rights

Sheikh Alesayi's recent case against Bank Audi explores significant issues surrounding consumer rights in international banking

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

Bridging the justice gap

Dr. Liz Curran calls for evidence-based reform to restore equal access to justice

Clarissa Levi joins Wedlake Bell team

Wedlake Bell has appointed former Sotheby’s expert Clarissa Levi to enhance its Art & Luxury team

Gilson Gray achieves landmark appeal victory

Full-service legal firm Gilson Gray is celebrating a notable victory in a landmark litigation appeal on behalf of its client, US-based private equity firm Lime Rock Partners

More of the Latest Legal News and Court Reports

AI and the energy sector: opportunities, risks and regulation

29 Apr 2025

Court ruling on extradition case upheld

29 Apr 2025

Tribunal decision reinforces immigration adviser standards

29 Apr 2025

Court ruling on barrister misconduct case

29 Apr 2025

London Underground wins part-time worker case

29 Apr 2025

Court ruling details Vardy v Rooney costs

29 Apr 2025

High Court hears negligence case appeal

29 Apr 2025

Misunderstanding the rule of law

29 Apr 2025

Improved service for civil legal aid

29 Apr 2025

Court Report

Thompson case underscores tribunal procedural challenges

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that Paul Thompson can amend his claim against the Fire Service

Court rules on Southwark Council case

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled on whistleblower protections, emphasising the need for sensitive handling of disclosures

EAT upholds Brake Bros over wages

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled against Mr Hudek's claim for unpaid wages, emphasising contract clarity

Cayman Islands immigration case affects rights

A recent Privy Council ruling addresses immigration law's impact on personal rights in the Cayman Islands

Opinion

Will the new Cyber Monitoring Centre’s categorisation scale really help?

Colin Hayes from Penningtons Manches Cooper shares his thoughts on whether the new cyber incident categorisation scale from the Cyber Monitoring Centre is likely to meet expectations

Joint Enterprise and tackling racial bias

Eithne Quinn, a Professor of Socio-Legal Studies at The University of Manchester, shares her thoughts on racial bias and injustice concerns related to the application of Joint Enterprise secondary liability rules and what solicitors can do to help build a fairer justice system

The Arbitration Act 2025 and maintaining London’s competitive edge

Matthew Weiniger KC, Chair of International Arbitration, and Ali Amerjee, Managing Associate, both at Linklaters, London, share their thoughts on the key reforms being brought in by the Arbitration Act 2025 aimed at ensuring that London maintains its status as the leading destination for global arbitration

Trump’s DEI policies can’t affect UK legal firms? Think again

As the Trump administration 2.0 continues to cause turmoil, Catherine Hobby, Kingsley Owusu and Robert Sizer explore the detrimental impact on UK diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) practices of events in the US and highlight the importance of positive action

Feature

Redefining the green belt: the rise of grey belt planning

Welcomed by developers but criticised by the House of Lords Select Committee, the Labour government’s new grey belt policy has divided opinion. Partner at Weightmans, John Gregory examines what the policy means in practice, and how it’s faring so far

Incinerate & Medicate, or Legislate & Regulate

In their latest publication, Consulting Engineer Professor Robert Jackson and General Practitioner Dr Frederick Newton are now joined by Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP and Councillor Jason Moorcroft a Parliamentary Spokesperson

Reforming the law of apologies in civil proceedings in England and Wales

Jon Crocker and Megan Owen from Bindmans assess the government’s efforts to reform the law surrounding apologies in civil claims in England and Wales and share their thoughts on the impact of such reforms in the context of clinical negligence

Has the case of Re Z impacted the law on surrogacy?

Sarah Bell, a Partner at Stephens Scown, assesses the wider impact of the ruling in Re Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption) [2024] EWFC 20

Practice Notes

Private lives, public standards: balancing personal privacy with professional standards for regulated professionals

Emma Nightingale and Sheetul Sowdagur explore how far regulators can lawfully scrutinise private conduct and where the boundaries of professional oversight should lie

Dispelling Common Myths About Legal Content Marketing

Corinne McKenna is a legal copywriter based in Shropshire.

Landmark ruling on liability in prisons

The case of Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Antonio Sobers highlights crucial issues of liability amidst serious allegations of excessive force in prisons and the complexities of collective claims involving vulnerable inmates

High Court examines trafficking victim's case

The Alnoor v Secretary of State for the Home Department judgment addresses key trafficking issues with potential impacts on UK victim protection standards.

International

US companies face hefty payouts for cybersecurity failures

US firms are paying the price for inadequate cybersecurity practices as settlements soar to $155 million

Europe’s anti-corruption alliance: a shift in global enforcement leadership?

Lloyd Firth examines the UK, France and Switzerland's new anti-bribery taskforce and what it signals about shifting global enforcement priorities

The space collision crisis: the future of orbital law

Randeep Bubbra explores the legal, regulatory, and technological challenges of space collisions, liability, and the need for updated frameworks in the expanding space economy.

Trade wars and tariff disputes: legal challenges and business implications

Escalating trade wars, driven by US tariffs, challenge WTO rules, disrupt global supply chains, and force businesses to navigate legal uncertainties and shifting market dynamics

Business

A class act: Is England a new battleground in high-value multi-claimant actions?

John Bedford, Evan Flowers, Jaqueline Harrington and Will Sachse explore the rise of multi-claimant litigation, the similarities with US class actions, and how English law continues to evolve in managing complex mass tort and multi-claimant cases

Mind the gap: why business analysis is not technical analysis

Many law firms confuse technical and business analysis—an oversight that jeopardises tech adoption and stops change management efforts from delivering real value

Unlocking the potential of support staff in law firms

Law firms can’t thrive on legal talent alone — engaging support staff is the next frontier of performance, says Michelle Howard

Cracking down on corporate secrecy: what the ECCTA means for UK businesses

Katie Bewick and Mike Barrington explore how tougher transparency rules, mandatory ID checks, and new penalties are reshaping UK corporate ownership and compliance

SJ Interview

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

SJ Interview: Karl Jansen

Karl Jansen speaks to the Solicitors Journal about his role as Managing Partner of Freeths

SJ Interview: Arif Kamal

In this interview, Arif Kamal's talks to the Solicitors Journal about his journey at Hunters Law

Appointments

John Gollaglee appointed as managing partner

DLA Piper has announced the appointment of John Gollaglee as the new Office Managing Partner for its North West offices, succeeding Mark Beardwood

in London

Jenner & Block LLP expands its London presence by welcoming Will Jones as special counsel in key practice areas

Charles Russell Speechlys announces new promotions

Charles Russell Speechlys has revealed key promotions within its international offices

Paul Hastings recruits partner Catherine Gokah

The firm has strengthened its Investment Funds practice with the appointment of Catherine Gokah as partner in London

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

Express Solicitors acquires Graham Coffey & Co

Following its recent growth strategy, Express Solicitors has acquired Graham Coffey & Co to enhance operations and caseload

Gateley Legal secures key panel reappointments

Gateley Legal has celebrated a series of important reappointments to legal panels for major housebuilders

iManage research highlights need for foundational technology

A new report shows legal professionals value document management systems as essential for AI implementation

Knights opens new office in Uxbridge

Knights is set to expand further in the Thames Valley with a new office in Uxbridge

Events

Ian Osborn named Partner of the Year

Ian Osborn has won Partner of the Year at the 2025 Sheffield & District Law Society Awards, showcasing his dedication to client service and substantial contributions to the firm’s growth

Intermediary Cooperative to host conference on Friday, June 27

The Intermediary Cooperative is set to hold its second annual conference in June at the University of Liverpool, focusing on collaboration and fairer justice

Ronald Inglis takes over chairmanship

Ronald Inglis has been elected chairman of Mitchells Roberton, taking over from his sister Morag Inglis

Grimsby’s fourth emergency service retires

Jane Eatock, a prominent employment lawyer, steps down after 35 years, leaving a lasting legacy in the region

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