Diary news plus insights, commentary and appointments from the legal world
2 October 2026
Editorial contact: fennell.edward@yahoo.com
SHORT THOUGHT: North of the Border – and out of sight?
Scotland, as we know, is a separate country within the UK with its own legal system and way of doing things.
A quick trip north of the border earlier this week – aiming to get the measure of the Scottish legal scene – could not not have been better timed, coinciding as it did with the eruption of a major constitutional row. The focus was the suggestion that advanced briefings by the then Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC, regarding the charges against Peter Murrell (former husband of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon) had been given to the First Minister, John Swinney, weeks before they were made public.
As a result Swinney has now announced an independent review into the dual role of Scotland’s top law officers. It looks like it could be heading towards (yet another) crisis. Alongside that, of course, were the latest figures about drug deaths in the country – the worst in Europe.
Meanwhile Scotland’s business press was devoting many inches to the law firm Lindsays which has embarked on rapid growth via mergers. Asked what he would most like to see different in Scotland the Managing Partner, Andrew Diamond, cried out for “A change in mindset realising that properity and and generating wealth and employment is a good thing.”
Scotland has massive assets and great lawyers. But whether it is optimum right now is a pressing question – even for those of us who live elsewhere.
The LegalDiarist
In this edition
+ LEGAL DIARY OF THE WEEK
Prizewinners from Debevoise and Slaughter’s
NEWS UK Opts for Wade’s ClearDraft
AI Advancing into Conveyancing (albeit tentatively)
Take Me to Your Leader
+ CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
WHY LITIGATION IS A THREAT TO MATERNITY CARE by Dr. Lorin Lakasing
SPOTING DATA SUBJECT ACCESS REQUESTS (DSARs) IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER says Rena Magdani
+ LEGAL COMMENT OF THE WEEK
on Russian sanctions, specialist courts, the Travelodge case, Great British Grid, and David Sullivan suing the BBC
+ APPOINTMENTS OF THE WEEK
Signature Litigation and Wilmer Hale
LEGAL DIARY OF THE WEEK
Prizewinners from Debevoise and Slaughter’s
The winner of the 2026 City of London Solicitors’ Company Prize has been announced.
Awarded annually to an ‘aspiring trainee’, as the organizers put it, the competition has really struck gold this year. Rather than a single victor the judges found they had to make a joint award such was the inseparability of Christina Newall, a Trainee Associate at Debevoise & Plimpton and Linda Worden, a Trainee Solicitor at Slaughter and May (although only Linda Worden could actually attend the ceremony).
The challenge the entrants faced was to spin 500 golden words on the topic ‘How can the Rule of Law sustain the stability and attractiveness of the City in an increasingly complex global landscape?’ Without doubt a teasing subject. Indeed there was a a lot of head-scratching in the Legal Diary office. Why the word ‘sustain’, for example, when ‘support’, ‘enhance’, ‘’underpin’ or even plain old ’maintain’ might have featured instead. What, in fact, were the question-posers actually getting at?
Whatever it was Newall and Worden got it right. London attracts business, Newell contended, not because it eliminates risk but because it enables risk to be priced, allocated and enforced on known terms. She pointed to recent reforms, including the Arbitration Act 2025 and the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025, as evidence of a legal system giving innovation a stable foundation.
Meanwhile Worden argued that it is the Rule of Law in its broader cultural sense that sustains the City’s standing. In other words ‘integrity’ she argued, is more than an SRA principle. The probity and responsibility of practitioners matters whether ‘flagging a poorly redacted document’ or ‘disclosing what is adverse to a client’s case’.
Anyway, congratulations to both and to the organisers. As Linda Worden put it, “This essay topic allowed me to reflect on the intersection between my personal and professional value… I am grateful for the opportunity to write about the Rule of Law within a broader cultural context.”
NOTE: The full text of the winning essays are currently featured on the CLLS’s Training Committee LinkedIn.
NEWS UK Opts for Wade’s ClearDraft
The name Alex Wade will be very familiar to those who haunt the fuzzy borderline between the media and the law with a remarkable ability to reinvent himself in both fields – not least with his service to The Times as both journalist and lawyer.
It looks though as if he has now pulled off his biggest coup yet having secured a strategic investment from News UK (parent company of The Times, The Sunday Times, and The Sun) into ClearDraft, the business founded just last year by himself and fellow media lawyer media David Burgess and San Francisco-based technologists.
The model that ClearDraft has created claims to be the first of its kind and is designed to be ‘procedural’ rather than generative, meaning, in the words of the company statement, “It scans content to identify legal risk patterns rather than creating new content.” The partnership between the publishing group and ClearDraft will allow News UK to train an AI product for newsroom lawyers to ‘manage increased publication flow in a multimedia newsroom’.
“I’ve worked for nearly 30 years with News UK, both as a journalist and lawyer,” said Wade. “For me personally, it’s a great privilege to bring the technology developed by the ClearDraft team to such a prestigious newspaper group. But more importantly, this is just the beginning for ClearDraft. Our radical reimagining of legal clearance will have a global impact, as we help content creators of all kinds to publish quickly and cost-efficiently, without fear of a lawsuit.”
Angus McBride, GC of News UK, added.“Investing in ClearDraft is a natural step for News UK as we continue to lead the way in responsible, fearless journalism and in harnessing new technology. ClearDraft will empower our journalists to break important stories faster and with greater confidence, while our legal teams can focus on the most complex and sensitive cases. It’s a win for journalism and a win for our readers.”
AI Advancing into Conveyancing (albeit tentatively)
Just published this week by conveyancing platform InfoTrack is the latest edition of its biennial Digital Conveyancing Maturity Index (DCMI) which shows improvement by nearly 10% in its ‘digital maturity’ scores across the sector.
Regarded as a bellwether for how effectively law firms are adopting technology and preparing for the transition to AI there were encouraging signs progress in a variety of fields – integration, IT and digital records being the strongest section. Meanwhile post-completion remained one of the stronger areas of maturity.
The introduction of AI into the programme was an important innovative move but not surprisingly – given its novelty – it rendered an average maturity score of just 29.3%, the lowest of the six sections under review. Although there is a lot of experimental and individual uptake only 18% of respondents had actually rolled it out across the team indicating that, so far, most firms lack a clear firm-wide AI strategy.
“We’re in an AI contradiction,” says Sam Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at InfoTrack UK. “AI use is widespread. Governed, firm-wide adoption is not. Content tasks are the most common named AI uses because outputs are visible and can be professionally reviewed, but critical risk assessment and triage remain much less common. The opportunity now is to apply the same discipline to use cases with measurable operational value, such as identifying missing information, surfacing exceptions, or supporting deadline management. The value is not an isolated faster answer. It is less repetitive reading, clearer exceptions and more time for professional judgement. AI and technology adoption is continuing, but not at the same speed as the market’s expanding capability.”
Top of the premier league of conveyancing firms for their use of technology was North-West law firm Bell Lamb & Joynson which achieved the highest overall score (second time in a row) with a digital maturity score of 94.5% Second and third places went to Thomas Flavell & Sons and The Partnership.
Take Me to Your Leader
The Legal500’s HALL OF FAME is the place where every ambitious lawyer wants to be and the dream has come true for Michelle Di Gioia, partner at Gardner Leader.
Noted for her expertise in property and commercial litigation and health and safety Di Gioiaas is being highlighted as ‘a superb litigator’, ‘hands-on, experienced and strategic’ with a ‘quiet determination to get the best for her clients.
“Being named in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame is a tremendous honour,” she says. “To be recognised in this way, alongside so many highly respected lawyers, is something I am incredibly proud of. What makes it particularly meaningful is that the recognition reflects the trust our clients place in us and the support of the talented colleagues I have worked alongside throughout my career.”
While having an individual honoured is great news for the firm it is also celebrating from back in the Summer its B Corp Certification in June, recognising its commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. With offices in central London and then down the Thames Valley taking in Oxford en route and as far west as Swindon the firm is one of those hybrids which, apparantly successfully, deals in both the metropolis and the south-east market.
“The Legal 500 offers a true benchmark of where we are as a firm,” said Derek Rodgers, managing partner at Gardner Leader. “To see so many of our lawyers recognised individually, and Michelle named in the Hall of Fame, is a significant achievement.”
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
WHY LITIGATION IS A THREAT TO MATERNITY CARE
by Dr. Lorin Lakasing
When maternity care causes harm, patients and families deserve compensation. That is not up for debate. But we need to ask if our current system for delivering that compensation serves anyone well.
Approximately one in every 500 deliveries in England results in a lawsuit. The average birth injury claim takes almost seven years to resolve. During that time, staff involved cannot discuss the details of the case with colleagues or in learning forums, restricting the kind of honest debrief that might actually prevent the same thing happening again. The opportunity to learn is locked away behind legal process for the best part of a decade.
Last year, over £3 billion was spent on clinical negligence in maternity care. Between 55 and 60 pence in every pound spent on negligence claims goes to legal and administrative fees. Every pound spent on litigation is a pound not spent on a midwife, a scanner, or a postnatal support service.
The impact of all this on frontline staff is profound. A BMA survey in 2018 found that 45% of doctors were fearful of making errors, with 55% reporting that this fear had grown over the preceding five years. Studies show that 18% of frontline staff involved in poor outcomes develop PTSD. One in nine middle-grade doctors report having experienced suicidal thoughts. Many talented clinicians are leaving maternity care altogether.
The UK is not alone in having grappled with these problems. New Zealand introduced a no-fault compensation scheme in the mid-1970s under which patients receive compensation for treatment injuries without needing to prove negligence. Administrative costs run at under 10 per cent of total expenditure.
Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Japan followed with their own variations on the no-fault model with some studies showing that patient satisfaction is higher, largely because resolution takes weeks or months rather than years, and staff morale and retention are measurably better.
There are plenty of counterarguments to system reform, and they raise several legitimate concerns. But our current system is the least perfect of all the available options. If we do not find a better way to handle this, we risk a situation in which the cost of compensating for failures in maternity care becomes so great that it threatens the viability of providing maternity care at all. Parts of the United States have already reached that point.
We are not yet there, but the trajectory is unmistakable.
Dr. Lorin Lakasing is an NHS consultant in obstetrics and fetal medicine.
Web: https://lorinlakasing.com/publications.html Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/g1dX9rh
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SPOTING DATA SUBJECT ACCESS REQUESTS (DSARs) IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
says Rena Magdani
The International Day for Universal Access to Information, which was earlier this week on 28 September, is a timely reminder for employers to review how they handle data subject access requests (DSARs).
A DSAR is a request made by an individual for access to the personal data an organisation holds on them. There are no formal requirements for a valid request to be made. Some DSARs will be obvious – using the phrase data subject access request for example – but others can be harder to spot. Requests can be made verbally or in writing and to anyone or any part of the organisation, including via social media.
Employers should ensure that managers, HR and employees across the organisation are trained in spotting any request that might be a DSAR and that they know to seek advice if they are unsure.
They should also be aware that it’s increasingly common for workers to submit a DSAR during a grievance or disciplinary process, or as a precursor to an employment tribunal claim. DSARs can be complex and time-consuming to deal with. The tasks of data retrieval, analysis and redaction of third-party data often require dedicated support, so it’s important to have a plan and process in place.
With new requirements around data protection complaints now in force, it is more important than ever for employers to establish robust processes. Since 19 June 2026, the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 has required organisations to have a formal process in place for handling data protection complaints. including any complaints about how they have handled DSARs.
Organisations must:
+ provide a way for individuals to raise data protection complaints directly with them,
+ acknowledge complaints within 30 days of receipt,
+ take appropriate steps to investigate and
+ respond without undue delay, and provide an outcome to the complainant.
As with DSARs, individuals do not need to follow a specific process to make a complaint, so spotting complaints will be key. However a complaint is made, organisations will need to follow the formal process they have set out.
Data subject access requests can place significant demands on HR and management teams. Getting expert advice to help employers respond to DSARs, handle complaints and manage employee data lawfully is highly recommended.
Rena Magdani is a Partner and Head of Employment, Pensions and Immigration at Freeths
LEGAL COMMENT OF THE WEEK
TOPIC: The UK’s announcement of a new Russia sanctions package including measures targeting the LNG ‘shadow-fleet’, Kremlin disinformation networks and individuals accused of torturing Ukrainian civilians and indoctrinating children
COMMENT BY: John Binns, Partner at BCL Solicitors, specialist in sanctions and financial crime
“ A lot of these new designations will be purely symbolic. We have no reason to think the people accused of these actions have interests in the UK, or would want to visit. They reflect a lack of power on our part to combat such actions more directly.
Licensing arrangements for LNG have been controversial. This package contains measures to help Japan and South Korea transition away from Russian energy, but it does not provide much reassurance that the transition is coordinated or quick enough.
As ever, the effectiveness of these measures has to take into account the collateral damage done to UK businesses, which have to keep up with the job of complying with them.”
TOPIC: The Prime Minister’s plans to roll out specialist rape and serious sexual offence courtrooms which are described as ‘A significant step towards better protecting women and girls’.
COMMENT BY: Gillie O’Rourke, President of women’s charity Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI)
“We welcome Andy Burnham’s recent announcements and Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones’ commitment to a trauma-informed approach to justice.
“Since publishing our Court Report in 2022, SIGBI has campaigned for court processes that better support victims of domestic abuse and harassment to place survivors at the heart of the justice system.
“It is encouraging to see reforms that reflect many of our recommendations in this area being applied to cases for rape and serious sex offences, including specialist facilities and greater use of technology to support victims throughout the court process.”
TOPIC: The security measures at hotel chain Travelodge when a sexual attack took place at its Maidenhead branch in December 2023
COMMENT BY: Jo Mackie, employment partner, Michelmores
“This review is damning for Travelodge and they will be doing all they can to manage the reputational damage this will have caused to them. It is also a reminder to all hospitality employers to make sure their staff are properly trained in security and health and safety – the duty of which trumps almost everything else in law.”
TOPIC: The announcement by the Government of the creation of ‘Great British Grid’ in order to allow households and businesses to benefit from faster grid connections, greater energy security and lower costs
COMMENT BY: Laurence Lacey, partner in the commercial property team, Clarke Willmott
“From a time and cost perspective, anything that gives developers greater control over the timing and delivery of connection works is likely to be welcome.”
“Delays to grid connections increasingly affect housing, industrial, logistics, data centre and renewable energy projects alike. The ability to procure and deliver connection infrastructure directly could help unlock projects more quickly and at lower cost.
“The bigger question, though, is the underlying issue of network capacity. The challenge is not simply obtaining a connection, but the need for substantial reinforcement of the wider transmission and distribution network.
“New substations, transmission lines and grid upgrades are required on a significant scale – this is where the estimated required investment of £70 billion in transmission networks over the next five to six years is key.”
TOPIC: The news that David Sullivan is suing the BBC in a £150m defamation claim over its Panorama documentary
COMMENT BY: Jamie Hurworth, Legal Director in the litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution team, Payne Hicks Beach
“David Sullivan, having issued defamation proceedings against the BBC, will be another pull on the organisation’s finances and means it will likely seek to defend the allegations as true.
“The legal threshold for that defence to apply is ‘on the balance of probabilities’, which is a lower threshold than the ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ test which the Crown Prosecution Service would need to satisfy to ultimately secure any criminal conviction.
“The BBC may also rely on a public interest defence which allows publication on a matter of public interest where the publisher believes that the statement was in the public interest, but it subsequently turns out not to be true.
“There will now be an interesting interplay between the possible outcomes in Mr Sullivan’s libel claim and any criminal investigation or process into his alleged conduct. It may be that Mr Sullivan felt that bringing a defamation claim was the only option available to try and defend or restore his reputation, even if he is never ultimately found guilty in a criminal court.”
LEGAL SECTOR APPOINTMENTS OF THE WEEK
SIGNATURE LITIGATION
Amany Chamieh has been promoted to Partner in Paris by Signature Litigation, the specialist commercial disputes law firm.
Previously with Darrois Villey Maillot Brochie, Chamieh joined Signature Litigation as Counsel in January 2025. She quickly became an integral member of the firm’s International Arbitration team and its work in disputes notably in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) where her knowledge of the region and fluency in both French and Arabic was a great asset to clients.
Tsegaye Laurendeau, international arbitration Partner in the London office, commented, “Amany’s promotion further strengthens our arbitration offering in Paris and across the firm, as she brings a rare combination of technical expertise, international perspective and a deep understanding of the MENA region, which is increasingly important to our clients. I look forward to seeing Amany continue to develop her practice and play an important role in the next stage of the firm’s growth.”
Signature Litigation now comprises nine partners in Paris and 30 partners globally.
WILMER HALE
Jeremy Kosky is joining the Commercial Disputes Practice of the Wilmer Hale office in London.
Formerly with Clifford Chance where he was a partner leading the London commercial litigation team for nearly a decade and sitting on the firm’s global financial investors committee, Kosky has more than 30 years of experience in international commercial litigation. He has seen cases taken to trial in England, France, Italy, and Luxembourg, as well as Bermuda, BVI, the Cayman Islands, and the Channel Islands. His specialist area lies in cross-border disputes and crisis advisory for private capital sponsors, corporate boards and family offices.
He has been recognised in Chambers UK for 18 consecutive years in both Commercial and Corporate Litigation and Private Wealth Disputes.
“When it comes to handling matters of the highest legal and commercial consequence, WilmerHale’s reputation is second to none,” said Kosky. “The opportunity to head the firm’s Disputes Practice in London, while drawing on the exceptional capabilities it already has in the UK, Europe and globally, is a compelling one.“
We hope that you’ve been interested or amused by something in this week’s LEGAL DIARY. If so do send on to colleagues.
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