‘The Covid lockdown period provided unexpected opportunities to discover the advantages and disadvantages of holding court hearings ‘remotely’ online.’
Transparency Project, 19th January 2026
Source: transparencyproject.org.uk
‘At a recent group action case management hearing in White and others v Uber London Ltd and others [2025] EWHC 2972 (Comm), Mrs Justice O’Farrell helpfully explained the approach the courts will take when determining whether to order costs budgeting in group litigation. The case concerns 13,000 claims by London black cab drivers against the defendants, the Uber Group, for damages in respect of allegations of unlawful means conspiracy.’
Law Society's Gazette, 20th January 2026
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘On 2 December 2025, the Lord Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced significant reforms to criminal trials in England and Wales. Defending his proposals on the BBC Sunday programme on 4 January 2026, Lammy justified restricting jury trial on the basis of his strong sense of justice, explicitly pointing to the fact he had a photograph of Martin Luther King alongside Rabbi Heschel marching during the civil rights movement in his office. Lammy’s usage of one of the most historically significant examples of civil disobedience to explain his motivations for jury reform is troubling. The effect of the reforms will lead to jury trials for offences committed in the course of civil disobedience being replaced with summary proceedings before magistrates’ courts, or, if the offence is deemed sufficiently serious, before new ‘swift courts’ composed of a single judge. Since defences for peaceful protesters have been successively removed since 2021, jury acquittals, particularly through jury equity, frequently constitute the last option for protesters to avoid the increasingly harsh sentences legislated for by Parliament and imposed by courts. The removal of jury trial from those convicted of protest-related crimes is the final nail in the coffin for peaceful protesters, ensuring that those who dissent are predictably convicted.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 21st January 2026
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The former nurse Lucy Letby will face no new charges on suspicion of murdering or harming babies, prosecutors have announced.’
The Guardian, 20th January 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A woman who was sexually abused as a child by groups of men has said she feels insulted after her compensation claims were denied.’
BBC News, 21st January 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The High Court has overturned the finding of misconduct made about the solicitor for former Conservative Chancellor Nadeem Zahawi.’
Legal Futures, 21st January 2026
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘A former prison officer has been jailed for having romantic relationships with two inmates and plotting to smuggle drug-soaked envelopes into prison.’
BBC News, 20th January 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A town council has been ordered to pay almost £3,000 compensation to a job applicant for ‘injury to his feelings’.’
The Independent, 20th January 2026
Source: www.independent.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2026