Explore expert articles, news, and resources from across the UK legal industry. Our blogs are designed to keep you informed in your specialist areas of law and job roles.
As UK law firms continue to digitise, cyber threats are escalating. From ransomware to data theft and email compromise. This article from Debra Cairns of Net-Defence explores real cases and highlights practical steps firms can take to strengthen defences, protect client data and maintain trust.
You are invited to join Cansford Labs for a live Q&A in September with their Head of Lab Operations James Nutt and Deputy Lab Manager Abbi Holloway. This is your opportunity to ask them any questions about the science of sample testing and detection windows.
Insider threats occur when employees misuse access to steal or leak data, causing legal, financial, and reputational damage. This article from Debra Cairns examines three UK cases, ICO responses, warning signs, and effective data loss protection measures.
Since June 2025, private children law cases in West Yorkshire follow the Pathfinder Pilot, a new child-focused process. Sophie Jensen of Duncan Lewis Solicitors explain how the scheme improves efficiency, supports self-represented parties, and centres the child’s voice in court.
Motoring offences don’t always warrant standard penalties. Leah Hester of LMP Legal explores how “special reasons” arguments can protect drivers from disqualification, using real case examples to show how legal knowledge and preparation can influence outcomes in high-stakes situations.
Returning to legal practice after a career break can feel daunting, but with the right support, it can be made easier. Nikki Alderson shares practical strategies for HR teams, barristers’ clerks, and returners to create confident and sustainable return to work in law.
Exceptional hardship appeals offer motorists a final opportunity to avoid a driving ban under the totting-up system, but the threshold is deliberately high. While many applications fail due to weak evidence or poor presentation, a refusal in the Magistrates’ Court is not the end. Drivers have an automatic right to appeal to the Crown Court. With strict rules, tight deadlines, and a more demanding appeal process, expert legal representation is often essential to maximise the chances of success.
When you’re feeling unwell or notice concerning symptoms, the first place you often turn to is your General Practitioner (GP). GPs are trusted healthcare professionals responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide range of illnesses and conditions. However, in some cases, mistakes or oversights on the part of a GP can lead to misdiagnoses, delays […]
Estate planning is far more than drafting a will – t’s a comprehensive strategy to protect assets, minimise tax, and ensure smooth wealth transfer. Many clients underestimate its complexity, but tools like ScoreMy help them visualise the strengths and gaps in their current plans. By offering clear assessments and ongoing insights, ScoreMy enhances client confidence, supports proactive legal guidance, and reinforces the long-term value of professional estate planning advice.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds vital layers of protection by requiring users to verify their identity with more than just a password. By combining factors such as something you know, something you have, and something you are, MFA makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access. From SMS codes and authenticator apps to biometrics and hardware tokens, MFA reduces the risk of account compromise by over 99.9% when properly implemented, making it an essential defence in today’s cyber threat landscape.
Navigating a divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to manage costs and maintain control. Many people are now choosing to proceed without a solicitor by instructing a Direct Access barrister instead. A barrister can guide you through key stages (such as financial disclosure, settlement negotiations, and court hearings) while you handle the administrative steps yourself. This approach offers expert legal support at a lower cost, though it does require greater personal organisation. For straightforward cases, Direct Access can be a safe, effective way to manage your divorce with clarity and confidence.
The legal profession is losing talented lawyers not because of skill gaps, but because traditional wellbeing initiatives fail to address the systemic pressures built into law firm culture. By integrating proactive psychological support, structural boundaries, and trauma-informed practices into everyday operations, firms can reduce turnover, improve performance, and build sustainable careers for their lawyers.
A dream holiday should be a time to relax, explore, and make memories – not a time for injury, stress, and unexpected medical bills. Unfortunately, accidents abroad do happen, and when they do, you may have legal protection under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. These regulations apply when you’ve booked a […]
Aslam v Transport UK London Bus Ltd [2025] EAT 113 highlights employer victimisation under the Equality Act 2010. The case confirms that claims can succeed even if unpleaded, where an employer believes a job applicant may make a protected act, reinforcing the tribunal’s duty to act in the interests of justice.
Grey fleet vehicles – personal cars used for business travel – are one of the biggest hidden compliance risks for organisations. Although these vehicles don’t appear on the company fleet list, employers are still legally responsible for ensuring they are roadworthy, properly insured for business use, and driven by competent, licensed employees. With millions of grey fleet vehicles in the UK and many lacking adequate checks, training, or maintenance, businesses face significant legal and financial exposure. Effective grey fleet management requires clear standards, enforced checks, proper driver training, and ongoing documentation to meet duty-of-care obligations and avoid serious consequences in the event of an incident.
The UK Government is set to overhaul its AML framework by creating a Single Professional Services Supervisor, shifting all AML oversight for legal and professional services to the FCA and replacing the current patchwork of 22 supervisors. While the change aims to improve consistency and intelligence sharing, it has sparked concern over dual regulation, higher costs, and whether a single regulator can meet the legal sector’s specific needs. A follow-up consultation is now underway, leaving firms facing ongoing uncertainty.
International child relocation is tightly regulated in England and Wales, requiring consent from all with parental responsibility or the court’s approval. Guided by the Children Act 1989, decisions focus on the child’s welfare, including their needs, wishes, and the impact of moving abroad. Given the complexity of these cases, specialist legal advice is vital. Duncan Lewis Solicitors provide expert support to help parents navigate this sensitive process.
When opposing counsel sends that infuriating email or makes a snide remark that sets your nerves on fire, it’s easy to react. But what if those triggering moments were actually a hidden gift? In When Your Adversary Triggers You: The Hidden Gift in Hostile Negotiations, we explore how the “mirror principle” reveals that the traits we find most aggravating in others often reflect parts of ourselves. By reframing emotional triggers through the lens of curiosity—asking “What a gift. Why is this in my movie?”—we shift from reactivity to self-awareness. This subtle mindset change transforms conflict into clarity, enabling you to maintain composure, negotiate strategically, and turn even hostility into professional growth.
Subject access requests are rising, often creating significant time and cost burdens. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 allows only a “reasonable and proportionate search” for personal data, but recent cases, including Ashley v HMRC (2025), show that the effort involved in reviewing and redacting data can also be considered disproportionate. Organisations may therefore argue that both the search and the review/redaction process are unreasonable when compliance would be excessively burdensome.
Outsourcing IT to a managed service provider (MSP) means entrusting them with your data, systems, and business continuity. But can you truly trust your provider? Recent breaches at Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer highlight how vulnerabilities within MSPs can disrupt entire organisations.
Trust depends on transparency, accountability, and compliance with recognised standards like ISO 27001 or the ScotlandIS ITMSP Best Practice Charter.
At Net-Defence, we prioritise security, proactive monitoring, and tailored support. Our commitment to best practice ensures clients’ systems remain protected, compliant, and resilient.
If you’re unsure whether your current MSP meets these standards, now is the time to re-evaluate who you trust with your IT infrastructure.
![Addressing time limits at preliminary hearings: Mesuria v Eurofins Forensic Services Ltd [2025] EAT 103](https://chroniclelaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/getty-images-rt_ru4K9eu8-unsplash-768x512.jpg "Addressing time limits at preliminary hearings: Mesuria v Eurofins Forensic Services Ltd [2025] EAT 103")
In Mesuria v Eurofins Forensics Services Ltd [2025] EAT 103, the EAT held that tribunals must clearly distinguish between determining a preliminary issue and striking out a claim. The Employment Judge failed to specify which approach applied when addressing time-limit and merits issues, leading to procedural unfairness. The appeal succeeded, and the case was remitted. The decision highlights the need for precise directions at preliminary hearings, especially where litigants in person are involved, to ensure fairness and prevent tribunals from exceeding their remit.
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