England

Criminal barristers across England and Wales have begun strike action in protest over inadequate legal aid fees. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) refused the offer of a 15 per cent uplift in fees, saying it was insufficient in the wake of deep cuts to the legal aid budget and pointed out that it w

Traditional partnerships are waning as figures show most law firms have adopted limited company structures for tax purposes, The Times reports. Research by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) indicates that 53 per cent of firms south of the border are limited companies – an increase of a

Criminal defence solicitors are set to join their barrister colleagues on picket lines next week as part of a dispute over legal aid fees. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) yesterday confirmed following a ballot of 2,500 members across England and Wales that it will pursue "the highest form of esca

Criminal law barristers have overwhelmingly voted to strike as part of their legal aid dispute with the UK government. Following a ballot of 2,500 members, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said it would pursue "the highest form of escalation", consisting of "days of action combined with both no re

Prison leavers believed to be likely to re-offend when drinking will face alcohol bans monitored with electronic tags under a new scheme rolled out across England. Under the scheme, first piloted in Wales, probation officers will be able to keep a closer eye on offenders' behaviour through the use o

Criminal law barristers are being balloted on action as their legal aid dispute with the UK government continues. Some 2,500 members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) are being balloted on escalating a work-to-rule that has been in place for six weeks, The Times reports.

British businessman Arron Banks, who played a high-profile role in the Brexit referendum by bankrolling campaign group Leave.EU, has failed in a libel action brought against investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr. Mr Banks brought the High Court proceedings against Ms Cadwalladr, a journalist wi

Divorcing couples in England will be provided with £500 mediation vouchers to help them resolve disputes away from court. The scheme was originally launched on a trial basis last March and has already seen 8,400 vouchers issued to divorcing couples. An additional £5.4 million in funding

Draft legislation published today by the UK's justice secretary Dominic Raab will pave the way for the first ever "Victims Law" in England and Wales. The Victims Bill will see complainants’ views sought at regular points during their case, with greater accountability placed on agencies such as

Criminal solicitors in London are to refuse low-paid cases this week in protest at legal aid rates. More than 100 solicitors have voted to stop representing people accused of assaults and burglaries on medical workers from tomorrow.

A senior judge has found the University of Bristol liable for multiple breaches of legal duties it owed to undergraduate student Natasha Abrahart in the lead up to her suicide on 30 April 2018. Ms Abrahart's body was found in her private flat on the day she was due to give a presentation to fel

Advisers stationed at GP surgeries, council offices, libraries, and other convenient locations can help more people get more timely access to civil justice, according to a new think tank report. The Social Market Foundation said that legal support for civil justice can better reach the those in need

A barrister who sexually assaulted a younger colleague has won an appeal against his disbarment and will be allowed to return to the profession next year. Kevin Farquharson, who called to the Bar in 2011, was given a suspended six-month sentence in Cardiff Magistrates' Court last year after pleading

Volunteer police officers in England and Wales will be armed with Tasers under controversial UK government plans. In a speech to the Police Federation annual conference, home secretary Priti Patel said special constables would be authorised to carry the electric stun guns in response to calls from p

A former lawyer breached his duty of care to his client, a Kazakh mining giant, while the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) acted with "bad faith opportunism" before a major criminal investigation, the High Court has ruled. Former Dechert lawyer Neil Gerrard, who represented Eurasian Natural Resources Corp