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.

Wordle v Worldle

Wordle, the fun app based on words, has accused another geography based online game, Worldle, of creating confusion and attempting to “capitalise on the enormous goodwill” with its own brand. The owners of Wordle, the New York Times, argue that Worldle is “nearly identical in appearance, sound, meaning, and imparts the same commercial impression to… Wordle,”. There are many other spin-offs, including Quordle, Nerdle, and Heardle but The New York Times have not confirmed if they will be bringing legal action against these too.

You can find out more here.

Increase in SQE fees

A Solicitors Regulation Authority consultation paper has released draft plans for budget 2024-25. It states that the SQE fees will rise by 5% in September. They aim to generate £66 million income next year.

 You can find out more here.

Bar Council calls for ‘whole system’ review through royal commission

The bar have called for a review of criminal justice through a royal commission to resolve the issues and request additional funding particularly to legal aid. Free legal advice, reforms to the credit for early guilty pleas, and improving the efficiency of prison transport are just a few of the reviews the bar have proposed. The last royal commission on criminal justice was on 14th March 1991. in 2019, the Conservative manifesto promised they would set up a royal commission but this has not been done. “The Crown court backlog reached 67,492 cases in March 2024, a 12% up on the previous year. Before the pandemic, in the last quarter of 2019, the Crown court backlog stood at 37,964.”

You can find out more here.

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

This Bill is due to enter the stage in the House of Lord on the 10^{th of} June, however with the newly-announced general election looming, this may not still go ahead. The Bill makes amendments to the previous one such as, the definition of scientific research being expanded, automated decision making, and records of processing activities.

You can find out more here.

Gift 'in contemplation of death' valid, judge finds

A doctrine of Roman law has enabled the High Court to execute a Will that was not deemed to be validly executed. Mr Mahmood died just two weeks after his wife, on the 23rd October 2020. He had made a Will in 2015 that left his estate to his late wife’s family, but in 2020 wanted to change the beneficiary to be a good friend. Due to the Lockdown’s in the UK in 2020, there was a temporary alteration to the law allowing the witnessing of Wills by video-call. Mr Mahmood sent a text which read ‘I agreed that Masudur Rahman will be the absolute own [sic] of all my assets and the executor of my new and last will. This is my final word. I revoked all my previous will done by me and my wife.’ The High Court used a Roman law doctrine, “gifts in contemplation of death” to carry out Mr Mahmood’s wishes. His friend became the sole beneficiary of his £2.8 million estate.

You can find out more here.

Sentencing set for 11 July as Trump says verdict 'a disgrace' 

Donald Trump has been found guilty for falsifying business records in a criminal trial in New York. He was unanimously convicted on 34 counts and sentencing has been set for the 11th July. He is now the first former president to be convicted of a crime. In terms of punishment, it is more likely that he will face a financial penalty than a prison sentence. Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing and criticises the outcome.

You can find out more here.

Fun facts for your friends…

It is illegal to dress up as a police officer, sailor, soldier (or anyone in the armed forces). This is because of the Seamen’s and Soldiers False Characters Act 1906 and the Police Act 1996. This is the case even if you are not impersonating but are dressing up for a costume party.

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