Recent judgments have only embittered the costs war between personal injury claimant lawyers and insurers, says Patrick Allen. Now the Court of Appeal has the opportunity to bring reason into chaos; failing that, the government should take action
Rupert Butler assesses some of the latest developments, including Barry George's successful appeal against his conviction, Amnesty International's role in asylum cases and the slaughter of cattle
Spike Charlwood considers how the recent credit crunch has led to a rise in lenders'negligence claims, with specific regard to the cases of Nationwide and Pulvers
Mediation can help bring about a negotiated settlement, but successful resolution often depends on the type of scheme and the skill of the mediator, says David Shapiro
Confirmation in an Australian case that fiduciary duties may be contractually avoided could set a precedent for English courts, say Michael Twomey and Eamonn McNamara
Liz Dronfield considers the protection of children from harm and in particular the extension of Family Assistance Orders, interim change of residence, committal proceedings and care proceedings involving parents with severe learning disabilities