‘A new post of prime minister’s criminal justice adviser and the widespread use of remote hearings are among the recommendations of a government-commissioned independent review on tackling the courts’ backlog in England and Wales.’
The Guardian, 4th February 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘In England and Wales, a company can enter an insolvency process/procedure known as ‘administration’. One of the ways a company may be put into administration- that is, have administrators appointed over the company – is by the holder of a qualifying floating charge over (all, or substantially all) the company’s assets, exercising a power under the Insolvency Act 1986, Schedule B1, paragraph 14, to so appoint. Such an appointment of administrators occurs ‘out of court’ (i.e. not by court order), and, is categorised as a method of ‘enforcement’.’
33 Bedford Row, 18th January 2026
Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk
‘The decision of Sheldon J in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB) has generated significant concern within the legal profession, particularly in firms that rely on supervised paralegals. Although the Judgment addresses a relatively narrow statutory question concerning the right to conduct litigation its implications for day‑to‑day litigation practice are widespread. This article provides a summary of the Judgment and identifies the practical issues that now arise.’
39 Essex Chambers, 20th January 2026
Source: www.39essex.com
‘The decision in OS v DT [2025] EWFC 156 (B), given by HHJ Hess and certified as citable, marks a significant development in child maintenance law where parents share the care of their children “exactly equally”.’
Becket Chambers, 12th January 2026
Source: becket-chambers.co.uk
‘Maria Karaiskos KC and Charlie Hutchins introduce the fundamentals of cryptocurrency and crypto assets and examine how crypto operates in practice, the developing UK regulatory framework, and the expanding powers around crypto assets under POCA.’
Church Court Chambers, 2nd January 2026
Source: churchcourtchambers.co.uk
‘The first stage of a major reformation of the relationship between employers and trade unions in the UK, which will begin its phased implementation later this month, will increase exposure for companies including those which have not previously engaged in industrial relations, according to an expert.’
OUT-LAW.com, 2nd February 2026
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
‘A shortage of mental health beds and poor communication between agencies contributed to the death of a teenage girl on hospital grounds, an inquest has found.’
The Guardian, 2nd February 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘In Smithstone, the Court of Appeal addressed a key point of principle and uncertainty concerning cost consequences for liability-only Part 36 offers and marked a significant development for practitioners. The Court confirmed that Part 36 costs consequences can indeed be triggered by liability-only Part 36 offers, overturning and clarifying the position outlined in Mundy v TUI UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 385 (Ch). This decision is likely to prompt a rise in the use of such offers.’
1 QMLR.2nd February 2026
Source: 1corqmlr.com
‘A driver who killed a man and mowed down four others in a drink-fuelled rampage in London’s West End in the early hours of Christmas Day 2024 has been jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 37 years.’
BBC News, 30th January 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Join barrister Adam Pipe for an hour-long webinar for DG Legal reviewing developments in UK immigration law during 2025, covering Immigration Rules changes, Home Office policy papers, key case law, and practical implications for advising clients and litigation practice.’
EIN Blog, 30th January 2026
Source: www.ein.org.uk
‘A criticism often levelled at the law surrounding modern parenthood is that it has failed to keep pace with societal and technological change. The law is failing to remain fit for purpose for modern families. This can lead to practitioners having to find solutions to problems created by unforeseen gaps in the law, effectively making the law with each new case. For those who turn to the law to resolve a deeply personal issue, it is a distressing and uncertain landscape.’
Law Society's Gazette, 30th January 2026
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘2026 is shaping up to be the most consequential year for UK data protection enforcement since the introduction of the EU/UK GDPR regime. With record fines issued in late 2025, a new enforcement playbook on the horizon, and shifting legislative and regulatory expectations, the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) is signalling a marked transformation in how it supervises and sanctions organisations.’
Kingsley Napley Corporate and Commercial Law Blog, 28th January 2026
Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk
‘Sex Matters is a campaigning organisation which was set up in 2021 and which, controversially, obtained charitable status in 2024. Its stated objectives are to “promote human rights where they relate to sex”, “advance education about sex and the law” and to “promote the sound administration of the law in relation to sex and equality in the law”. However, its recent campaigns have focused almost exclusively against the inclusion of trans women in single sex spaces.’
Administrative Court Blog, 29th January 2026
‘Four daughters have successfully challenged their “domineering” aunt in a court battle over the £1 million estate of their eccentric father, a man described as a “son of the Forest”.’
The Independent, 30th January 2026
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Family dynamics are complex at the best of times. When one family member is unwell, stress and worry can quickly lead to friction and mistrust among siblings and parents alike.’
Kingsley Napley Family Law Blog, 29th January 2026
Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk
‘It would be “a disaster for disabled people” if police stop recording and investigating lower-level incidents of abuse that often lead to more serious hate crimes, according to researchers and campaigners.’
The Guardian, 29th January 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A group of media lawyers, including newspaper general counsel and KCs, have put their names to an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for stronger anti-SLAPP provisions.’
Legal Futures, 30th January 2026
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘A significant decision has been made by Mr Justice Poole in the High Court, allowing a journalist access to a number of psychological reports that were commissioned in family proceedings. Although when a Transparency Order (TO) is made under the Reporting Provisions a journalist or legal blogger can be given copies of certain court documents, this list doesn’t include expert witness reports or Cafcass reports. A second important feature of this judgment is that the journalist successfully applied for access to some documents in cases where she hadn’t been to court to get a TO.’
Transparency Project, 29th January 2026
Source: transparencyproject.org.uk
‘A legal challenge brought by a charity over transgender people’s access to single-sex facilities at swimming ponds in Hampstead Heath has failed at the high court.’
The Guardian, 29th January 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The UK government’s decision to go ahead with completely lifting the cap on unfair dismissal compensation from the start of next year will require companies to rethink their dismissal strategies, an expert has warned.’
OUT-LAW.com, 29th January 2026
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
© Inner Temple Library 2026