Editor, Solicitors Journal

AGAINST THE ODDS

8 Jan 2019News

A tetraplegic barrister has secured a joint pupillage with Hilary Meredith Solicitors and Exchange Chambers in Manchester against the odds. Simon Arnold, 36, was injured in a road accident in 2006 and relies on a power chair. He employs a personal assistant but faces significant challenges with few courts in the country accessible to wheel chairs and power chairs. Despite his disabilities, Simon studied law and was called to the Bar in 2012. Hilary Meredith reportedly said he has 'blown us away with his ability, determination and positive outlook'. £10,000

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

New guidance on family court orders

New rules on non-molestation orders reflect a broader understanding of domestic abuse and prioritise safety

Homebuyers to take action against builders

A landmark lawsuit will be filed by UK homebuyers against major housebuilders for competitive breaches

Increased risk of lockdown wills disputes

More people are likely to face legal challenges over DIY Wills made during the COVID-19 pandemic

Green Lane Association v Central Bedfordshire Council: ETRO quashed for lack of genuine experimental purpose

High Court finds experimental traffic order invalid due to unclear experimental basis and procedural failures.

Lamb v Teva UK Ltd: investigator dual roles and procedural fairness in misconduct dismissals

EAT clarifies when investigator involvement renders dismissal unfair under natural justice principles

Unity Ship Group v Euroins Insurance: Master incompetence defeats general average claim

Admiralty Court finds crew competence failures render vessel unseaworthy, barring recovery

Douglas Homes Housing v Dykes: Expert determination, repudiatory breach and fiduciary duties

Complex property development dispute involving jurisdictional challenges and alleged breaches of duty.

A&P68 Limited v City of Bradford: The test for ownership in business rates avoidance schemes

Non-domestic rates liability clarified where lease granted solely to avoid business rates obligations.

Interest rates reduced for Court Funds

Interest rates for Court Funds Office accounts will decrease starting from 9 January 2026 due to economic factors

High Court set to hear Gatwick expansion dispute

A legal challenge against Gatwick Airport's second runway plan will be heard in the High Court this week

High performers often face unfair punishment

High-achieving professionals may experience ‘performance punishment,’ leading to burnout and feelings of undervalue

Fixed recoverable costs regime failing claimants

The Fixed Recoverable Costs regime is not delivering the promised certainty, raising concerns over access to justice

Government must prioritise civil legal aid

The Law Society argues for increased funding for civil legal aid to support families facing legal challenges

The UK’s dirty money reforms: from pledges to practice

David Lammy’s tough rhetoric on illicit finance revives long-standing pledges, but delivery, not words, will determine success

Government consults on powered mobility device laws

The UK government seeks public input to modernise laws affecting powered mobility devices, ensuring safety and accessibility

SJ Interview: Joelle Grogan

Dr Joelle Grogan is a legal scholar specialising in the rule of law in times of crisis. She presents The Law Show on BBC Radio 4, and is Co-Academic Director of the Rule of Law Clinic at the CEU Democracy Institute (Budapest), and a Senior Research Fellow at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Her work focuses on constitutional accountability, emergency powers, and legal misinformation. In this interview, she examines the pressures facing the rule of law in the UK, from executive power and court delays to media narratives, emergencies, and the impact of AI on legal practice.

Justice reform risks targeting the wrong fix

As 2026 approaches, ministers eye jury trials while ignoring deeper causes of England’s criminal justice crisis