Editor, Solicitors Journal

SUCCESS FEES

4 Jan 2019News

The Court of Appeal has ruled against the common practice among personal injury firms of charging a 100% success fee and claiming the maximum limit of 25% of total damages. The judge in Herbert v HH Law [2019] EWCA Civ 527 said: 'In this country, in the context of a conditional fee agreement, the amount of a success fee is traditionally related to litigation risk'. Firms not informing their clients that the fee is unrelated to the risk of the case at the time of signing the CFA could now be open to challenges. 04 April 2019

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Richard Orpin appointed CEO of LSB

The Legal Services Board has named Richard Orpin as its new Chief Executive Officer following an extensive recruitment process aimed at finding the best candidate for the role

Record raids against illegal workers in UK

Arrests for illegal working have skyrocketed in the UK, marking record levels due to sustained enforcement efforts

New rules enhance privacy for victims

The Home Office has introduced new rules to enhance the privacy of victims during police investigations

Unclaimed estates list reinstated after review

The unclaimed estates list from Bona Vacantia has been reinstated to ensure public access and integrity

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

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