The Bar

Articles

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

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

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

A reflection on 10 years of the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour

Matthew Hardcastle and Connie Atkinson from Kingsley Napley reflect on the decade since the coming into force of the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour

The proposals put forward by the Office for Students obligating higher education providers to treat students fairly

Alison Fredericks, a Solicitor at Bindmans, discusses the proposals by the Office for Students on promoting fairness in the treatment of students in connection with the provision of higher education and ancillary services

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

The Arbitration Act 2025: a welcome update for English arbitration law

Professor Philip Clifford KC and Robert Price, both Partners in the international arbitration team at Latham & Watkins, share their thoughts on the key provisions being introduced by the Arbitration Act 2025