Procedure

“Purely commercial discussions” within a business about settling a dispute before litigation has begun are not protected by litigation privilege, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The Ministry of Justice has issued a call for evidence on the new personal injury discount rate to be set under what will soon be the Civil Liability Act to meet the timescales set by the legislation.

Justice minister Lucy Frazer has defended the role of call centres in the justice system during the committee stage of the Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill.

The Civil Justice Council has called for a ‘notice to mediate’ system used in Canada to be considered as the first step towards a more “automatic” system of alternative dispute resolution.

The Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill enters its committee stage today, with Labour putting forward amendments to ensure greater “oversight and accountability”.

A host of top law firms, chambers, representative bodies and others are joining forces to launch London International Disputes Week next year.

There is no implied sanction for failing to serve a medical report, the High Court has ruled, reinstating a complex personal injury claim which had been struck out.

Letters between Sotheby’s and two art experts concerning the authenticity of an Old Master painting sold for over $11m are not covered by litigation privilege, the High Court has ruled.

Loughborough has been chosen as the location for the third Courts & Tribunals Service Centre, further centralising back-office functions.

City solicitors support some form of change to the current approach to witness statements, new research has showed as a judicial survey on options remains live.