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One of the many valuable services provided by solicitors is to hold funds securely in neutral escrow accounts pending resolution of disputes. However, performing that role is not without risk and, in one case, a respected law firm found itself on the horns of a $325 million dilemma through no…

Traumatic births can leave babies with life-changing physical injuries, but specialist lawyers are thankfully there to ensure that they receive fair compensation. In a case on point, a woman whose difficult delivery left her with little use of her left arm received seven-figure damages from the NHS. During her delivery,…

Proposals for a major mixed-use development on the site of a vacant business park received the High Court’s blessing despite a town council’s arguments that it would result in an unacceptable loss of employment land. The 4.2-hectare park consisted of a vacant warehouse and a two-storey office block. A developer…

Taking on staff is often a necessary precursor to setting up a new business. As an Employment Tribunal (ET) decision showed, however, entering into any form of binding employment relationship is a serious step and doing so prematurely can have grave financial consequences. The case concerned an entrepreneur who set…

Providing personal guarantees as security for corporate loans is for many businesspeople simply a price that has to be paid to achieve commercial success. As a High Court case showed, however, signing such a document is a momentous step that should never be ventured without first taking professional advice. The…

Whilst love blossoms between cohabiting couples, questions as to who owns what may not seem to matter very much. As a High Court ruling showed, however, any lack of clarity in that respect can store up serious trouble for the future. The case concerned a couple who bought and sold…

Judges are wary of those who attempt to pull the wool over their eyes but, if a court judgment is obtained by fraud, it is very unlikely to survive an appeal. As a Court of Appeal ruling in the context of a bitter will dispute showed, however, allegations that justice…

The internet brings many benefits, but the widespread provision of software used in wholesale copyright infringement is decidedly not one of them. The High Court powerfully made that point in assisting record companies to stamp out the latest manifestation of such abuse – a process known as stream ripping. On…

Participants in potentially dangerous sports usually understand the risks they are taking. However, as a High Court case showed, it does not necessarily follow that they are disentitled from receiving compensation in the event of an accident. The case concerned a young man who came to grief whilst riding a…

Healthy competition between trade unions gives their members a choice and guards against complacency – but to what extent should such rivalries be reflected in the collective bargaining regime? The Court of Appeal addressed that issue in an important test case. The case concerned a relatively small union (the insurgent…