The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

City law firms offer staff autism tests to combat NHS backlogs [Telegraph] (£)

Prisons could run out of space by March, justice secretary warns [The Times] (£)

Crown Prosecution Service lawyers trivialise teen sexual abuse, report says [The Guardian]

The City lawyers working themselves to death [Telegraph] (£)

Top chef jailed for serving raw clams infected with norovirus [The Times] (£)

UK lawyer to oversee ICC investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestinian territories [The Guardian]

Robert Downey Jr wins first Oscar and thanks lawyer of 40 years for bailing him out of jail [Mirror]

NatWest hires City law firm as it tools up for Nigel Farage battle [The Telegraph] (£)

The lawyer who quit his career to build Lego — and made a fortune [The Times] (£)

“‘He started suggesting legal argument that we should start running’. I don’t think this is intended to be taken as a compliment.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

THIS TUESDAY: The Legal Cheek Commercial Awareness Academy: Anatomy of a deal — with Fried Frank [Apply now]

THIS THURSDAY: Secrets to Success Bristol — with Osborne Clarke, TLT, Ashfords and ULaw [Apply now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

‘Lewd’ lawyer wins right to challenge disbarment [The Times] (£)

A Slapps law could affect anyone, not just the rich and powerful [The Guardian]

Ministry of Justice set to introduce new law on litigation funding [City A.M.]

Still ‘no evidence’ that Rwanda is a safe country, warns Law Society [iNews]

Rishi Sunak’s ‘sinister’ reference to ‘reading the riot act to the police’, human rights lawyer says [Sky News]

UK bolsters crypto law enforcement efforts with new bill passage [Crypto News]

What happened to Fawziyah Javed? Tragic true story of the pregnant lawyer who helped jail her abusive husband from beyond the grave is explored in Channel 4 documentary The Push [Mail Online]

Did Moscow order the death of the oligarchs’ London lawyer? [Independent] (£)

Canada lawyer under fire for submitting fake cases created by AI chatbot [The Guardian]

“These comments are harsh. The SQE2 is difficult and yes, the job market is saturated but about 20% of the current trainees at my firm failed the SQE2. It’s not an indicator of whether you will get a job or not. If you didn’t like the way your provider taught the SQE2 then I would highly suggest moving to another provider…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

THIS THURSDAY: A deep dive into SQE2 — with BPP University Law School [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

England’s former director of public prosecutions joins US law firm [Financial Times] (£)

Stonewall-approved law firm accused of hypocrisy for opening Saudi Arabia office [Telegraph] (£)

Crime victims die while waiting for justice as England and Wales legal system ‘on its knees’ [The Guardian]

Ex-Clifford Chance lawyer acquitted in FCA insider trading trial [Financial Times] (£)

Scottish prison boss says ‘we can’t take any more’ [BBC]

Armed police desert Met after officer charged in Chris Kaba case [The Times] (£)

Donald Tusk’s government moves ahead with plans to sack Poland’s top court judges [Financial Times] (£)

Labour plans to extend equal pay rights to black, Asian and minority ethnic staff [The Guardian]

Offenders to face jail over protests on war memorials [The Times] (£)

Jeremy Hunt authorises OBR review of ‘tourist tax’ [Financial Times] (£)

“Can someone explain why salaries are continuing to rise if there are fewer roles/a market slowdown? TBF the last time I studied economics was A level but this doesn’t seem to stack up.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

Next Tuesday: SQE myths and half-truths — with BPP University Law School [Apply Now]

Next Thursday: Secrets to Success Southampton — with Irwin Mitchell, Shoosmiths, Womble Bond Dickinson and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Michelle Mone’s former lawyer says he wants apology for ‘damage to reputation’ [The Guardian]

BT class action case to test new ground in English courts [Financial Times] (£)

Austerity contributing to rise in children in care – head of Family Court [BBC News]

Home Secretary James Cleverly taken to court over decision to ignore Windrush review [Mirror]

Nottingham attacks: ‘I was foolish to trust legal system’, says Barnaby Webber’s mother [Sky News]

Lawyer threatened with arrest for driving van with anti-BBC and Gary Lineker slogans [Telegraph] (£)

ICJ’s Israel judgement seeks to restore rule of law to a brutal conflict [Financial Times] (£)

Chinese courts to rule on Hong Kong commercial disputes under new law [The Guardian]

Donald Trump’s $83m humiliation is just the start of his legal trouble [ITV News]

“How long until we see top UK firms at £150k and US firms over £200k? Not long I expect…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

How to qualify as a solicitor in-house [Apply Now]

Secrets to Success Newcastle — with Norton Rose Fulbright, Hill Dickinson, Womble Bond Dickinson, Trinity Chambers and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Lawyers struggling to gain access to clients in prisons in England and Wales [Financial Times] (£)

Jeremy Hunt talks up tax cuts in 2024 spring budget [The Times] (£)

Lawyers claim government ‘snub’ by rape trials committee [The Times] (£)

Medics told not to report illegal abortions to police [BBC]

A tax evasion law not publicly enforced may as well not exist [The Guardian]

UK train drivers plan new industrial action over use of anti-strike law [Financial Times] (£)

Rwanda bill: Rishi Sunak ‘crystal clear’ he will ignore international law to ensure asylum seekers are deported [Sky News]

PADDY V PITBULL Paddy McGuinness to face feared divorce lawyer dubbed ‘pitbull’ as Christine bids to stay in £4m mansion [The Sun]

Lawyer who prosecuted sub-postmaster writes public apology [The Telegraph] (£)

Ban masks at public rallies, ministers told [The Times] (£)

“Scrapping the requirement for a degree in the name of diversity makes no sense. It’s like banning wheels from cars to ensure there are fewer road traffic accidents. If the bar isn’t diverse enough, and you’ve identified that the underrepresented group(s) are less likely to have a degree, then it’s up to universities and colleges to solve their own diversity problems. Why is the BSB taking it upon itself to artificially correct something it has no control over?” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

This Tuesday: Start your legal career with SPARK — with Clifford Chance [Apply Now]

This Wednesday: Pupillage application masterclass — with Gatehouse, Henderson, Landmark, Radcliffe Chambers and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Endeavour used Linklaters for CEO probe despite independence concerns [Financial Times] (£)

Plans to reform private prosecutions after Post Office Horizon scandal [The Guardian]

Top law firm fined £500,000 over money laundering breaches [The Times] (£)

As a lawyer, I know bogus libel claims can bankrupt honest defendants. The English courts must change [The Observer]

Netanyahu says ‘nobody’ will stop Israel including Hague court [Financial Times] (£)

Sunak’s Rwanda treaty ‘unlikely to satisfy supreme court’, say legal experts [The Guardian]

Sheffield courts close after burst water pipe causes flood [BBC News]

I quit being a lawyer to dabble in writing and podcasting. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made [Business Insider]

Judge signs off on first-ever use of new execution method [UniLad]

John Lennon’s deportation lawyer Leon Wildes dies aged 90 [Sky News]

“The level of distrust Slaughters must have in its lawyers to monitor them like school children is, frankly, worrying. Surely, the work they produce should be the criteria by which they’re judged, as it were? This is especially true for a firm which likes to highlight its lack of billable targets and work/life balance initiatives.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

This Tuesday: The future of the global economy — with Hill Dickinson [Apply Now]

This Thursday: Lifecycle of a tech start-up — with Harbottle & Lewis [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

When did the Post Office scandal start? Timeline of key events [The Times] (£)

UK’s Sunak: Government is looking at legal ways to help Post Office victims [Reuters]

Former subpostmaster reveals £150m paid to lawyers in Post Office scandal [Independent]

How cyber-criminals made a man kidnap himself [The Times] (£)

Rise in dementia cases risks sparking jump in family legal battles [The Telegraph] (£)

Record year for City law firms recruiting from their rivals [The Times] (£)

Troubles legacy act: UK challenges Ireland on legal move [BBC]

Ed Davey must be held to account for ‘wicked’ ministerial decisions about Post Office, says victim [The Telegraph] (£)

Defendant who leapt at judge over court bench in Las Vegas attack faces seven new charges [Sky News]

“Imagine a world where firms freeze NQ salary for two years and keep on more trainees on completion of their TC. It’s all well and good firms boosting NQ salaries to flex muscle but when they’re offloading more trainees than retaining it’s a pointless exercise.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

This Tuesday: Demystifying disputes and investigations — with Travers Smith [Apply Now]

Next Tuesday: The future of the global economy — with Hill Dickinson [Apply Now]

Next Thursday: Lifecycle of a tech start-up — with Harbottle & Lewis [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Nigel Farage slams Travers Smith’s ‘work of fiction’ suggesting he wasn’t de-banked [Express]

Legal threat to Covid Inquiry from children’s rights group over failure to address harms of lockdown [Telegraph] (£)

UK court removes daughter from care of mother who disputed use of expert [The Guardian]

Spiking laws to be strengthened as cases continue to rise [ITV News]

Cardinal convicted of embezzlement in landmark Vatican court case [Financial Times] (£)

The Observer view on Prince Harry’s court victory over Mirror Group Newspapers [The Observer]

Jimmy Lai trial: heavy security presence as landmark national security case begins in Hong Kong [The Guardian]

Judge buys ‘court’ cartoon by Matt for his fellow-judge partner [Telegraph] (£)

Cardiff barrister becomes global bestseller with ‘The Lazy Guide to Happy’ [Herald Wales]

Gwyneth Paltrow court case’s ‘ridiculousness made it captivating’, say creators of new play [Sky News]

“When considering what your time is really worth to you you need to bear in mind the law of diminishing returns. At 5PM you might be happy to sell your time for £30. What about 8PM? 9PM?” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events next month:

Lifecycle of a tech start-up — with Harbottle & Lewis [Apply Now]

Pupillage application masterclass — with Gatehouse, Henderson, Landmark, Radcliffe Chambers and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Banksy draws on century-old convention to remain anonymous [The Times] (£)

Scottish court rules UK government veto of gender recognition bill was lawful [The Guardian]

‘The law needs to catch up on student mental health’ [BBC]

Young City professionals ditch work from home as productivity thrives in the office [City A.M.]

Star lawyer Fiona Shackleton’s firm faces legal action from the ex-wife of a Russian oligarch who she helped to win £453 million for in her divorce settlement [Mail Online]

Rwanda policy will stop 99.5% of migrant claims, Home Office says [The Times] (£)

Tax hits highest level on record for Britons as UK also has highest property leviest [Daily Express]

“It’s scandalous that over a quarter of students fail the course. It’s really not very difficult.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

TOMORROW: The Legal Cheek December Virtual Pupillage Fair [Apply Now]

Life as a finance lawyer — with Womble Bond Dickinson [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Politics class: Sunak pledges to change the law after Supreme Court rules against Rwanda policy [Financial Times] (£)

Family of headteacher Ruth Perry refused legal aid for inquest into her death [The Guardian]

Supreme Court to decide on state immunity of sunken treasure [City A.M.]

House of Lords report calls for Bank of England reform after inflation failures [Financial Times] (£)

Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain agrees to pay £585m after bribery investigation [Sky News]

Nigel Farage lawyers’ furious letter to ITV over his naked shower [Mail Online]

Alex Salmond launches legal action against Scottish government [Sky News]

“We should welcome productivity-related innovation. Who would the small practices turn to without things like Practical Law, for example? But it’s getting absurd about the huge inequality in the amount of resources and focus expended on by the profession…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

TOMORROW: The Legal Cheek Commercial Awareness Academy: Law firm client dynamics — with Baker McKenzie [Apply Now]

TOMORROW: The SQE assessments: a deep dive — with BPP University Law School [Apply Now]

Artificial intelligence and the law — with Pinsent Masons [Apply Now]

Life as an entertainment and media lawyer — with Reed Smith [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

High court to consider whether universities owe students legal duty of care [The Guardian]

Supreme Court set to rule on whether Deliveroo riders are ‘workers’ [City A.M.]

Rwanda scheme ‘probably dead’, claims former Supreme Court justice [Sky News]

Norfolk ramblers’ battle against solicitor’s barrier blocking historic footpath [Telegraph] (£)

Private equity resorts to buying back companies after IPO flops [Financial Times] (£)

Rights groups back Observer writer Carole Cadwalladr over court costs [The Guardian]

Rival dog groomers in £50,000 battle over ‘Wash Wiggle and Wag’ name [Metro]

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Singer Cassie settles lawsuit accusing rap mogul of rape and abuse [BBC News]

Law firm launches legal action over F1 Las Vegas GP spectator ejections [Autosport]

“Everyone is entitled to legal representation. If everyone refuses work because they don’t personally agree with the company or individual’s views and thus they’re left without a representative, that in itself would be unethical…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

TOMORROW: The Legal Cheek November Virtual Law Fair [Apply Now]

Black lawyers share their stories — with Ropes & Gray [Apply Now]

Life as a City lawyer at an international law firm — with Herbert Smith Freehills [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Magic Circle law firm Freshfields investigates slavery links [Telegraph] (£)

Win or lose, supreme court decision on Rwanda policy will be pivotal for Tories [The Guardian]

Government facing legal challenge over burning trees for energy in net-zero plan [The Standard]

Psychology body says costs ruling ‘unfair’ in appeal on use of unregulated experts in England and Wales [The Guardian]

‘Save our beautiful bullies’: The dog lovers fighting to save American XLs as government ban approaches [Independent]

Donald Trump: Legal experts see uphill battle in fraud case [BBC News]

‘I left law to work in security — now I can afford a four-bedroom house’ [Manchester Evening News]

Classes on celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rick Ross are engaging a new generation of law students [Independent]

Nottingham law student taking accommodation to court over broken boiler [Nottingham Post]

“Can’t wait for those hundreds of thousands of shoddily run redlines to be released…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

The SQE assessments: a deep dive — with BPP University Law School [Apply Now]

Inside a global law firm — with Dentons [Apply Now]

In-person workshops and networking in Birmingham — with Gateley, Shoosmiths and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

UK ‘in violation of international law’ over poverty levels, says UN envoy [The Guardian]

Law firm gender progress is not quite what it seems [Financial Times] (£)

Shamima Begum’s lawyer quits over ‘unfair’ secret terror hearings [The Times] (£)

Law firm that victimised lesbian lawyer Allison Bailey over transgender stance refuses to condemn barrister over his ‘pro-Hamas tweets’ including image of terrorists storming the Israeli border [Mail Online]

NHS pay: Health staff win Covid bonus after legal action threat [BBC News]

Scarlett Johansson takes legal action against AI app that copied her likeness [The Standard]

Google’s Epic legal battle opens up on another front [Financial Times] (£)

Senior lawyers criticise handling of case of Sikh activist held in India [The Guardian]

Oil tycoon takes £350m lawsuit to Scottish courts in biggest single payout battle [Daily Record]

Farmer wrongfully arrested at behest of RSPCA wins £20k in court [The Telegraph]

Law firm partner fined for late-night drunken texts and calls to female colleague [New Zealand Herald]

“I have asked for a new set of example questions at kaplan as impossible to contact the SRA. The current questions on the SRA website are 3 years old and do not reflect the exam. No response off course” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

The Big Commercial Awareness Themes of 2023-24 — with DWF, Goodwin Procter, Gowling WLG, Lewis Silkin, Irwin Mitchell, Squire Patton Boggs and ULaw [Apply Now]

Why STEM students make great lawyers 2023 — with Allen & Overy, Bird & Bird, Bristows, Clifford Chance and Herbert Smith Freehills [Apply Now]

Demystifying commercial awareness — with Shoosmiths [Apply Now]

In-person workshops and networking in London — with Forsters, Gatehouse Chambers, Mayer Brown and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Law firms under pressure to make more women partners [Financial Times] (£)

Is Israel’s response to Hamas’s attacks justified under international law? [The Telegraph] (£)

UK Lawyers urge government to ‘uphold rule of law’ in Gaza conflict [Jurist]

Just Stop Oil activists to hear judge’s ruling on M25 protests [Independent]

Artificial Intelligence, ready to become a legal entity [Medium]

Lawyer Wayne Barnes keeps his cool in bruising Rugby World Cup final [Rugby Pass]

Trump says he has $100M in legal fees amid cascade of court battles [The Hill]

Suits’ Worst Message About Lawyers Is Secretly Why The Show Remains So Popular 12 Years Later [Screen Rant]

“In my years of experience being a lawyer, there’s only one way to get your “mojo” back, and regain your love of life: quit being a lawyer. Done.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

Banking & finance showcase — with Mayer Brown [Apply Now]

LGBTQ+ lawyers share their stories — with Ropes & Gray [Apply Now]

In-person workshops and networking in Leeds — with Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, Womble Bond Dickinson and ULaw [Apply Now]

The future of energy — with TLT [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Tougher UK crypto regime sparks boom for compliance advisers [Financial Times] (£)

US law firm gives £27k bonus to juniors at City office [The Times] (£)

‘Surprising’ that the Met found jihad chant during Palestine protest was legal, says Home Office minister [iNews]

Rwanda plan under threat as ministers are convinced court with axe it [Daily Express]

Court of Appeal judges set to consider critically ill baby’s case [Independent]

Drug-spiking reports rise fivefold but proportion leading to charges fall [Guardian]

Emmerdale’s rape storyline echoes UK justice system which is failing victims [Mirror]

The Halloween costume that’s against the law if you have ‘intent to deceive’ [Daily Record]

Kenneth Chesebro: Second Trump lawyer pleads guilty to conspiracy [BBC News]

“Proof read your work… It sounds silly and ridiculous, but making errors such as ‘refer’ instead of ‘prefer’, or using written contractions will put you at the bottom of the hill you are seeking to climb before even considering the content of what you have produced…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

The economics of a global law firm — with White & Case [Apply Now]

Making QWE work for you: trainees and junior lawyers tell their stories [Apply Now]

How to join a legal tech graduate scheme — with Allen & Overy, Eversheds Sutherland and Macfarlanes [Apply Now]

In-person workshops and networking in Bristol — with Burges Salmon, RPC, TLT and ULaw [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Senior UK judge given formal warning for ‘rude and hostile’ behaviour [The Guardian]

Woman alleging menopause discrimination to be heard by employment tribunal in legal first [Independent]

US hedge fund provides record loan for environmental lawsuits [Financial Times] (£)

Juries must be allowed to give their verdicts without interference [The Guardian]

How lawyers helped to overturn one man’s fine for failing to pay a £5 fee at Gatwick when he was collecting his parents [The Times] (£)

Wayne Rooney thought about major career change after attending wife Coleen’s Wagatha trial [The Sun]

Top Scots lawyer Aamer Anwar to be focus of ‘real-life Suits’ documentary [Daily Record]

I was a professional rugby player who went viral for brutal tackle, went to the NFL and I’m now a qualified barrister [Talk Sport]

“It is an *incredibly* bad idea to pick your practice area based on assumptions about work-life balance. Your practice area will constitute your career, potentially until you retire…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

Real estate lawyers reshaping the future — with Taylor Wessing [Apply Now]

Market trends for 2024 — with Willkie – [Apply Now]

Financial and professional risk — with RPC [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Lawyers’ skills will remain in demand, at least for the short term [Financial Times] (£)

As a lawyer and comedian, I know why we don’t speak up about bad men [The Telegraph] (£)

Suella Braverman hints at plan to alter global refugee law, as charities vow to fight ‘tooth and nail’ [iNews]

Post Office knew legal case was likely to bankrupt Horizon IT victim, lawyer says [Guardian]

Met commissioner demands better legal protection for armed police [Telegraph]

Law firm is dealing with 400 dog attack cases – and none are XL Bullies [Express]

University ‘courts’ are failing students [Guardian]

What family lawyers make of Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas’s child custody battle [Independent]

Lawyer ‘tried to use voodoo magic to kill client and inherit her fortune’ [Metro]

Money Diary: A Divorce Lawyer On £75,000 [Refinery 29]

“It’s been fun going through the ‘hypothetical’ case studies and working out which of us they’re based on.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

Maintaining the edge through human capital — with Osborne Clarke [Apply Now]

Energy in transition — with Norton Rose Fulbright [Apply Now]

The future of gaming — with Linklaters [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

‘Project Springsteen’: how law firm Paul Weiss raided rival Kirkland in London push [Financial Times] (£)

Court of appeal judge praises ‘jolly useful’ ChatGPT after asking it for legal summary [Guardian]

Lawyer who claimed Keir Starmer was ‘average’ named chief prosecutor [Times] (£)

Preston magistrates’ court closes after RAAC discovered in roof [Telegraph] (£)

Bullying lawyers target internet users who post negative reviews online with SLAPPs [Independent]

Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law? review — debating desperate measures to raise the climate alarm [Financial Times] (£)

Charity warns Alex Chalk to act over legal aid for immigration and asylum [Guardian]

Judge calls on Suella Braverman to intervene as war hero Gurkha is told daughter cannot join him in UK [Telegraph] (£)

Sepsis: Lawyer hopes to raise awareness after four-time battle [BBC News]

“I had to resit an LPC exam and I have turned out alright. Just make sure you pass the resit and life goes on.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

What does a world of difference look like? With Slaughter and May [Apply Now]

Life as a global finance lawyer — with Weil [Apply Now]

Meet our lawyers working internationally — with Allen & Overy [Apply Now]

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Top UK lawyer hits out at ‘authoritarian’ attacks on legal profession [The Guardian]

US law firm Paul Weiss mounts further raid on rival Kirkland [Financial Times] (£)

UK government to be reported to UN over strike law by TUC [BBC News]

Teesside mayor spent taxpayer cash on legal advice in spat with MP [Times] (£)

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother were ‘urged to flee Britain’ after her death by UK solicitor as they would be ‘mistreated for being Muslims’, their family’s Pakistani lawyer claims [Mail Online]

Lawyers concerned about ‘extraordinary’ FRC code omission [Financial Times] (£)

Shein sues Chinese rival in High Court copycat row [Telegraph] (£)

Shipping industry legal action surges as Ukraine war drives ‘emotive’ disputes [Financial Times] (£)

Felipe Massa’s lawyers to ask Lewis Hamilton to give up 2008 world title in legal challenge to F1 [Evening Standard]

“Relax. Of course you can do a vac scheme without quitting your job. Just take it as holiday.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Events this week:

Innovation, law and risk — with Clyde & Co [Apply Now]

Digital Economy — with Ashurst [Apply Now]