Welcome to weekly legal/business updates, sharing the latest developments and noteworthy events in the legal and business sectors

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and welcome! In today’s fast-paced world, it’s overwhelming to keep up. That’s why I’ve curated a weekly round-up of headlines that interest me. Stay informed, enhance your commercial awareness, and gain valuable insights. Sit back, relax, and let this newsletter be your companion in navigating news and knowledge.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

This week we celebrated International Women’s Day, with many paying tribute to iconic females in the legal industry. Lady Hale as the first women to be appointed a Supreme Court judge, and I. Stephanie Boyce as the first ever black president of the Law Society of England and Wales, are just a couple of the inspirational women in the industry.

You can find out more here —> https://www.legalcheek.com/2024/03/9-influential-women-lawyers-who-shaped-the-legal-industry/

Investment in non-court dispute resolution championed by Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election budget

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said “we will spend £170m to fund non-court dispute resolution, reduce reoffending and digitise the court process”. £55 million of this is for family courts to give online targeted advice, shorten wait times, and support families through non-court dispute resolution. There are questions around whether this is enough in addressing the frantic crisis the justice system faces. However, the encouragement of using non-court dispute resolution will ultimately lighten the burden on courts.

You can find out more here —> https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/budget-cash-for-dispute-resolution-but-moj-spending-cut-by-500m/5118972.article

Landmark move for Apple

Apple have made the move to allow other companies to launch app stores on iPhones after EU politicians expressed concerns that Apple had a market monopoly. There is hope that this will encourage smaller companies to enter the iPhone market. Apple have set strict rules for app stores such as requiring them to have 1 million euros in the bank unless the store has 2 years of good standing.

You can find out more here —> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68517246 

Michael Gove’s new definition of ‘extremism’

The proposed new definition of ‘extremism’ will include attempts to “overturn, exploit or undermine the UK’s system of liberal democracy”. There is worry that it could brand legitimate organisations and individuals as extremists as the definition is so broad. Gove predicts there will be legal challenges to enforce the definition.

You can find out more here —> https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/09/revealed-legal-fears-over-michael-gove-definition-extremism

Corbyn v Farage

Jeremy Corbyn has said he is taking legal action over a statement made by Nigel Farage on GB News. The statement accused Corbyn of subscribing to an antisemtic conspiracy theory. Cornyn responded that he could not let “disgusting and malicious lies go unchallenged” and posted to X about taking the initial steps to take legal action over the comments.

You can find out more here —> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68471403

Fun facts for your friends…

It is actually illegal to be found drunk in a pub and you could be fined £200 for being intoxicated in a pub or another public place! This bizarre law comes from section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872.

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