High Court Orders SRA to Pay £400,000 Interim Costs After SLAPP-Linked Conviction Overturned
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been ordered to make a £400,000 interim costs payment following the successful appeal of a disciplinary conviction linked to alleged “SLAPP” conduct. The case concerned media lawyer Ashley Hurst, whose conviction before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was overturned by the High Court last month. In 2024, the tribunal had fined […]
When Prison Legal Advice in London Becomes Essential
Prison legal advice in London matters from the very first contact with the criminal justice system. From arrest, remand or sentence, choices are made that affect where someone is held, what support they receive and how their case moves forward. In a city with many prisons, courts and agencies, small mistakes early on can cause […]
Questioning Public Authority Decisions in Middlesbrough
Holding public bodies to account in Middlesbrough this winter Public bodies in Middlesbrough are under real pressure. Tight budgets, staff shortages and new policy priorities often lead to harder decisions on housing, benefits, licensing and social care, especially around the start of the year when reviews and funding choices are made. Those decisions can have […]
Solicitor Convicted of Stalking Court Observer After Months of Unwanted Contact
A solicitor has been convicted of stalking following a seven-day trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court, where the court found that a sustained pattern of unwanted communication amounted to harassment. Andrew Jonathan Milne, admitted as a solicitor in 1986, was found guilty of stalking without fear of violence in relation to his conduct towards court observer […]
Not-for-Profit Sector Unlikely to Support Proposed Client Account Interest Scheme
Proposals by the Ministry of Justice to recover interest generated on client accounts held by law firms are unlikely to receive support from the not-for-profit legal sector in their current form, MPs have been told. The proposal would require law firms to remit 50% of interest generated on individual client accounts and 75% of interest […]
Firm Granted Permission to Continue Judicial Review Against Ombudsman Decision
A London law firm has been granted permission to proceed with a judicial review of a decision made by the Legal Ombudsman, despite a series of procedural shortcomings during the early stages of the claim. The High Court ruled that preventing the firm from continuing its challenge would cause greater prejudice than allowing the case […]
Administrative Failures Create ‘Inaccessible Justice’ for Litigants in Person, Research Finds
Research published by Blind Justice CIC has found that administrative failures within the courts are creating significant barriers to justice for litigants in person (LiPs), with routine procedural breakdowns preventing many cases from reaching judicial determination. The report examined a two-year period between 2024 and 2026 and focused on unrepresented parties conducting cases in the […]
Law Centres Intervene in Mazur Appeal Over Access to Justice Risks
Law centres have intervened in the Mazur appeal amid concerns that uncertainty created by last year’s High Court ruling could restrict access to justice for individuals facing eviction, discrimination, or loss of income. The Law Centres Network (LCN) confirmed that it has entered the appeal to ensure the Court of Appeal considers the wider implications […]
Understanding Development Dispute Lawyers in Birmingham
Understanding Why Development Disputes Need Specialist Support Development disputes in Birmingham rarely stay small. Issues over land acquisition, planning obligations, construction delays, defective work, overage, or joint venture fallouts can quickly affect funding, timetables, and stakeholder confidence. Even a relatively contained disagreement can freeze cashflow, stall a site and put wider portfolios or banking relationships […]
High Court Approves Limited Disclosure of Expert Reports in Private Family Law Cases
A High Court judge has ruled that expert reports used in private family law proceedings should be disclosed to a journalist, while confirming that strict limits on publication are necessary to protect the anonymity of the families and children involved. The decision follows an application by journalist Jessica Bradley, who sought access to documents from […]