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

Northern Ireland businesses face dual AI laws

The latest proposal from the European Commission could see NI businesses toeing the line in two jurisdictions

Land Data extends NLIS contract

Land Data has extended its NLIS Hub service provider contract with Decision Insight Group until March 2027

Children deprived of their liberty require better access to legal aid

The Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the reduction in family court backlogs and delays, but further investment in civil legal aid is needed to support children at risk of being deprived of their liberty

Modernising probate to ease difficult times

The digital transformation of the probate service simplifies and speeds up the process for all applicants

Legal battle over F-35 sales

Al-Haq challenges UK government on arms sales to Israel in four-day May court hearing

Navigating shifting sands: the retreat from diversity pledges and the UK business landscape

Sajida Hussain, a Legal Director at Addleshaw Goddard, takes a closer look at the retreat by certain notable companies in regard to their diversity commitments and the likely impact in the UK

Lord David Neuberger: SJ Interview

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

The Arbitration Act 2025: fab or fail?

Justin Weare, a Partner at Blake Morgan, asks whether the reforms to be introduced by the Arbitration Act 2025 will have a significant impact

RWK Goodman strengthens Thames Valley Family law team

RWK Goodman bolsters its Thames Valley Family law team with the appointment of Catherine Morgan as a Partner

Jacksons unveils new branding identity

Jacksons Law firm unveils a new brand aligning with internal values and its longstanding heritage

More of the Latest Legal News and Court Reports

Easier, faster immigration appeals with digital reforms

27 Mar 2025

Net-Defence partners with For Legal

27 Mar 2025

Chief legal officers driving cybersecurity

27 Mar 2025

Employment appeal tribunal overturns disability discrimination dismissal

26 Mar 2025

Tesco's appeal over expert evidence in equal pay case

26 Mar 2025

Planning reforms to boost economy

26 Mar 2025

Hollistic Health Limited challenges Care Quality Commission's registration conditions

26 Mar 2025

Judicial review on VAT policy begins

26 Mar 2025

Tribunal dismisses appeal over driving instructor registration

26 Mar 2025

Court Report

Tribunal overturns decision on driving instructor registration

Tribunal allowed appeal of a driving instructor whose application was initially refused due to a motoring offence conviction

Tax tribunal rules on domicile status of Rabbi Aubrey Weis

The tribunal ruled on the domicile status of Rabbi Aubrey Weis, impacting his tax liabilities for several years

Court dismisses Santander's duty of care appeal

High Court rules on whether a bank owes a duty of care to retrieve funds lost to fraud

Court rules on liability in construction site accident

High Court rules on liability and contribution in a construction site accident involving a subcontractor's fall

Opinion

Diversity, equity and inclusion: you can make the messenger but not the message redundant

John Hayes, Managing Partner at Constantine Law, shares his thoughts on whether the rollback on DEI happening in the United States will be replicated in the UK

TikTok or TikNot: understanding social media for law firms

Andy Cullwick, Group Director of Marketing at First4Lawyers, shares the results of a recent white paper and his thoughts on how to make social media work for law firms

Don’t bottle it: a once-in-a-generation reset to water regulation

The Water Commission’s review to re-set the way we regulate the water sector could be a template for the reform of other infrastructure intensive sectors, explains Nicola Williams, a Partner at Eversheds Sutherland

Why are we still relying on property law to divide the assets of cohabiting couples on separation?

Catherine Loadman from Lund Bennett Law discusses a recent case that provides helpful information for family lawyers advising cohabiting parties on the division of property

Feature

Will legal aid, as with so many other public services, simply be co-opted into a system of managed decline?

Daniel Newman, Professor in Law at Cardiff University, Emma Cooke, Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Kent, and Jess Mant, a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, discuss the findings from their recent project funded by the British Academy on the legal aid sector

The painful reality of the Sara Sharif case

Catherine Gee, a Barrister at Pump Court Chambers, discusses the issues raised by the Sara Sharif case and the decision to publish the names of the judges involved

Civil legal aid reform: restoring access to justice or running out of time?

Sonia Kalsi, an Associate Professor (Teaching) at the Faculty of Laws at University College London and Deputy Director (Teaching & Learning) of the Faculty’s Centre for Access to Justice, asks whether it’s too late to save civil legal aid

Striking workers are protected against detriment by the Blacklisting Regulations

Glenn Hayes, a Partner at Hill Dickinson, dissects the ruling in Morais and Ors v Ryanair DAC and what it means in practice for workers involved in official industrial action

Practice Notes

HMRC appeals VAT tribunal ruling: a glimmer of hope for branded medicine suppliers?

Tabitha Reed and Julia Cockroft examine the Tribunal’s ruling, its implications for suppliers of branded medicines, and whether the case could unlock significant VAT repayments in an already turbulent pharmaceutical pricing landscape.

Legal aid fee dispute dismissed in high court

High Court upholds Legal Aid Agency's decision on prosecution evidence page count, impacting legal aid fees

Commorientes and joint tenancies

Mark Pawlowski examines the statutory presumption of survivorship under s.184 of the Law of Property Act 1925 and its potential for unfair outcomes in cases of simultaneous or uncertain deaths

S U Consultancy Ltd vs Gurmit Singh and others: High Court of Justice ruling on constructive trust and damages

High Court ruled on a complex business dispute involving a constructive trust and damages for unlawful means conspiracy

International

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

Hungary penalised for failing to transpose EU whistleblower directive

The European Court of Justice ruled against Hungary for failing to transpose the EU whistleblower directive, imposing a substantial financial penalty

Rethinking Gibraltar's trust law and abolishing perpetuities

As jurisdictions like Cayman abolish perpetuity rules, Gibraltar's retention of the rule may hinder its competitiveness in global trust law, say Elliott Phillips and Paul Grant

Business

The growing cybercrisis for law firms

Alastair Murray explains how cybercrime is a growing threat to law firms, with rising attacks, financial losses, and reputational risks

How lawyers can develop effective project management skills

Sally Sanderson explores how lawyers can enhance their project management skills to work efficiently, reduce stress, and advance their careers

Managing workplace stress in law firms

Tom Hanson discusses how companies can prioritise employee well-being in the face of increased stress and burnout in the legal sector.

Barriers to entry in the legal sector

While regulatory bodies and law firms have made efforts to improve diversity, challenges still remain

SJ Interview

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

Reflections on Judging

On 30 September 2024 Sir Jonathan Cohen KC retired from being a full-time High Court Judge of the Family Division

Appointments

Henrietta Ronson joins Corker Binning partnership

Henrietta Ronson brings her extensive experience in high-profile criminal law cases to Corker Binning's partnership

Express Solicitors appoints senior solicitor

Express Solicitors strengthens its clinical negligence team with the appointment of Tanzeela Aslam as Partner

Shoosmiths expands employment team

Shoosmiths appoints Kate Dodsworth as a partner, strengthening its employment team and national sector expertise

Harbottle & Lewis announces new partners

Harbottle & Lewis promotes three lawyers to partnership, strengthening its expertise in media, entertainment and private wealth

Announcements

Druces advises Supersearch Plus on admission

Druces LLP advises Supersearch Plus on successful admission to AQSE Growth Market with expert guidance

BonelliErede to open new Milan office

BonelliErede plans a new sustainable Milan headquarters in 2026, designed for innovation, growth, and well-being

Gordon-Saker receives honorary ACL membership

The Association of Costs Lawyers Council awarded honorary membership to former Senior Costs Judge Andrew Gordon-Saker

Kennedys IQ unveils groundbreaking AI

Kennedys IQ launches SmartRisk, the first neuro-symbolic AI solution for global insurers, enhancing decision-making transparency

Events

Admissions ceremony welcomes new solicitors

Forty-six new Scottish solicitors formally joined the profession at an admissions ceremony in central Edinburgh

Managing partner retires after 40 years

Ramsdens managing partner Paul Joyce retires after 40 years, leaving a legacy of growth and success

Clarke Willmott lawyers join clean-up

Lawyers from Clarke Willmott joined a world record attempt to clean Cardiff's riverside and protect nature

Bell Lamb & Joynson wins big

Bell Lamb & Joynson has been recognised as a top UK conveyancing firm after multiple British Conveyancing Awards wins

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