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

Freeths advises Bioceres on merger

Freeths has successfully advised Bioceres on its significant merger with Moolec Science, enhancing capabilities across sectors

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

Trade strategy supports UK legal services

The UK government’s new Trade Strategy prioritises the legal sector, fostering growth and increasing job opportunities for legal professionals

What the Trump tariffs mean for UK construction

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

Law firms face significant lead conversion losses

New research indicates that legal firms incur considerable financial losses due to unconverted business leads which can be alleviated by better qualification strategies

Sir David Calvert-Smith reappointed to Parole Board

The reappointment of Sir David Calvert-Smith as a judicial member of the Parole Board signals continuity in leadership within the UK criminal justice system

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

Birketts enhances Bristol team with new hires

Birketts has strengthened its Bristol office by appointing three new legal professionals in June 2025

DLA Piper advises on Valencia funding

DLA Piper has successfully facilitated a EUR332 million financing package for Valencia Club de Fútbol's stadium redevelopment

More of the Latest Legal News and Court Reports

Crime contract signature process begins soon

30 Jun 2025

AGCM closes case on Elite Media

28 Jun 2025

SRA welcomes Sarah Rapson as CEO

27 Jun 2025

Foreign prisoners to face quicker deportation

27 Jun 2025

Lawyers missing out on millions

27 Jun 2025

Small firms eager to embrace technology

26 Jun 2025

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

26 Jun 2025

Sorry seems to be the hardest word… changes afoot for the law of apologies

25 Jun 2025

Merricks v Mastercard: the first contested settlement of a funded class action

25 Jun 2025

Court Report

High Court Clarifies Cost Liability in Illiquidx v Altana Trade Secrets Case

Costs ruling highlights precision’s impact in complex commercial confidentiality disputes.

Privy Council Clarifies Easement Registration in Cayman Shores Development Ruling

Privy Council overturns misclassified recreational rights as easements in landmark Cayman Islands property case.

Rasmala v Trafigura: Key Restitution and Unjust Enrichment Ruling

The High Court has dismissed a $21 million restitution claim in Rasmala Trade Finance Fund v Trafigura PTE Ltd (2025), with significant implications for recovery in commercial fraud cases involving innocent third parties.

High Court Ruling emphasises procedural clarity in complex IP litigation management

Analysis of University of Sheffield v Kudos Pharmaceuticals (2025 EWHC 1476) highlighting critical case management principles, disclosure requirements, and expert evidence coordination in intellectual property disputes for legal practitioners

Opinion

The report on improving family court services for children is an unsurprisingly depressing read for family law practitioners

Rachel Frost-Smith, Legal Director of the Family Team at Birketts, shares her experience of the impact of the delays in family court proceedings

Dead and…buried?

In this opinion piece, Roman Kubiak, Partner and Head of Private Wealth Disputes at Hugh James, discusses the Law Commission’s consultation paper on new funerary methods

How lawyers can translate climate goals into enforceable contracts

Natasha Morgan, Head of Legal Content at The Chancery Lane Project, shares her thoughts on the role of lawyers in implementing climate transition plans

The Law Commission’s consultation on private international law reforms: navigating digital assets in the modern legal landscape

Professor Suzanne Rab, a Barrister at Matrix Chambers, takes a closer look at the Law Commission’s proposals to modernise the rules governing cross-border disputes involving digital assets and electronic trade documents

Feature

Export-led growth for the UK and UK–EU relations

Following the UK–EU Summit held in London on 19 May 2025, Anthony Woolich, a Partner at Blake Morgan, reviews the approach being taken to reset UK–EU trade relations

Online disinformation and the law

Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh, a Partner at Corker Binning, assesses the gaps in criminal law in regard to tackling disinformation online

Shaping the future of litigation funding: the Civil Justice Council’s vision for reform

Emma Carr and Louise Macdonald from Gowling WLG discuss the reforms set out in the Civil Justice Council’s final report

The Office for Student’s push to address the unfair treatment of students

In this article, Savanna Ogunbo, a Solicitor at Bevan Brittan, discusses the consultation issued by the Office for Students to address the unfair treatment of students

Practice Notes

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

Has private nuisance lost its traditional flexibility as an independent tort?

The High Court clarifies private nuisance post-Fearn, blurring boundaries with negligence and redefining harm to amenity

International

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

EU's Omnibus proposes major changes to corporate sustainability and due diligence

The EU's Omnibus Simplification package seeks to overhaul sustainability reporting and due diligence laws, with significant implications for businesses and regulators

Business

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.

A crisis of trust: the Legal Aid Agency cyber breach and the reputation of justice

A major data breach tests the legal sector’s credibility, ethics and duty to safeguard client trust.

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

Dechert enhances private equity team with new partner

Jarlath Pratt joins Dechert as partner, leveraging over 20 years of private equity and M&A expertise

DMH Stallard strengthens team with new partner

DMH Stallard has appointed Jeff Elway as a Partner in its London corporate team to enhance services for clients

Ward Hadaway promotes 22 as growth continues

Ward Hadaway has announced 22 promotions across its offices, indicating strong growth and commitment to talent retention

Shoosmiths welcomes new partner Wei Wu

Shoosmiths has appointed Wei Wu as Partner in the Corporate team to strengthen its M&A capabilities

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

Osborne Clarke helps Wonderbly team sell

Osborne Clarke has successfully advised Wonderbly’s management team in its sale to Penguin Random House

Goodwin advises Summit Partners on sale

Goodwin has successfully advised Summit Partners on the sale of its shares in ELATEC to Allegion for 330 million Euro, completing a significant transaction that is set to close in the third quarter of 2025

Ellisons secures platinum STEP accreditation

Ellisons has achieved platinum accreditation from the STEP Employer Partnership Programme, acknowledging its commitment to staff development

KWM advises Brickworks on major merger

King & Wood Mallesons has announced its advisory role in Brickworks’ merger with Soul Pattinson

Events

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

Freeths wins Law Firm of the Year

Freeths, a leading law firm, has been honoured as Law Firm of the Year at the City AM Awards 2025

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