Expert Analysis

• Time For Presumptive Virtual Mediation In The UK

  

  While the COVID-19 outbreak is a real-time test of the U.K. justice system’s adaptability and innovation, it is also an opportunity to deliver alternative dispute resolution through virtual technology — and there are two ways in which this could be achieved, says Suzanne Rab at Serle Court.

• UK 'Property' Classification Boosts Confidence In Bitcoin

  

  In AA v. Persons Unknown, the English High Court classified bitcoins as property that can be the subject of proprietary injunctions, indicating the slow but growing acceptance of virtual currencies within the U.K., say Steven De Lara and Colin Grech at Signature Litigation.

• 3 EU And UK Data Protection Tips During COVID-19

  

  Though EU and U.K. data protection laws should not impede the fight against COVID-19, companies must continue to protect individuals' data, and the challenges of managing a remote workforce and the desire for information about the virus’s impact have significant implications for that responsibility, say attorneys at Debevoise.

• Novolex Case Brings Lessons On R&W Insurance

  

  A New York state court dispute between Novolex and a few of its insurers concerning coverage under a representations and warranties policy for a $267 million loss offers a rare glimpse into how a court might interpret acquisition agreements and insurance policy provisions, say attorneys at Hunton.

• How Proposed EU Class Action Directive Could Affect Insurers

  

  Insurers should beware the explosive potential of the EU's proposed directive providing for cross-border class actions and third-party funding for such actions, although it also bears strict requirements that will limit the number of cases, say Emmanuèle Lutfalla and Simon Fitzpatrick at Signature Litigation.

• COVID-19 Insurance Considerations For UK Cos.

  

  Though a new U.K. regulation recently made it easier for businesses to claim losses related to COVID-19, potential points of contention when seeking insurance coverage include whether the government ordered the business to close and whether an outbreak occurred at the premises, say attorneys at Covington.

• UK Group Data Breach Claims Pose Big Financial Risks

  

  Recent English court decisions appear to make it easier for data breach victims to bring collective actions, and consequently companies may find they are liable for huge sums in addition to fines under the General Data Protection Regulation, say attorneys at Morrison & Foerster.

• A Crucial Chance For UK Supreme Court To Clarify Arbitrator Bias

  

  In Halliburton v. Chubb, the U.K. Supreme Court has an opportunity to tackle uncomfortable questions and support confidence in London's arbitration sector by policing effectively against bias and impartiality when arbitrators are involved in multiple tribunals, says Rosie Wild at Cooke Young.

• Rebuttal

  Legal Industry Should Pursue AI Prediction Progress

  

  As part of the debate prompted by my recent Law360 guest article on legal prediction using artificial intelligence, I would like to unpack four issues and suggest that attorneys and technologists continue to tackle the problems presently within reach, says Joseph Avery at Claudius Legal Intelligence.

• Rebuttal

  AI Can't Accurately Predict Case Length And Cost — Yet

  

  A recent Law360 guest article argued that artificial intelligence can precisely estimate the length and cost of a new case, but several limitations will likely delay truly accurate predictions for years to come, says Andrew Russell at Shaw Keller.

• What To Expect During The Brexit Transition Period

  

  While all formal ratification procedures for the U.K.'s departure from the European Union have been completed, the transitional period will bring an enormous range of trade, customs and regulatory issues, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

• Opinion

  Legal Prediction Is Demanding But Not Impossible

  

  The New Jersey Supreme Court’s recent decision in Balducci v. Cige incorrectly concluded that predicting the length and cost of a case is nearly impossible, and overlooked artificial intelligence's ability to do so, says Joseph Avery with Claudius Legal Intelligence.

• Surefire Marketing Methods To Build Your Legal Practice

  

  Attorneys who take the time and the risk to showcase their talents through speaking, writing and teaching will find that opportunities will begin building upon themselves, says Daniel Karon of Karon LLC.

• Mandatory Mediation May Lie Ahead For England And Wales

  

  The U.K. Court of Appeals' decision in Lomax v. Lomax, among other recent developments, show significant judicial support for compulsory mediation of appropriate civil and commercial cases in England and Wales, say Margarita Michael and Grace Spurgeon of O'Melveny.

• Key Risks And Developments For UK Law Firm Culture In 2020

  

  In 2020, law firms throughout the U.K. will be increasingly reshaped by rapid changes in societal expectations and advances in technology, say Helen Rowlands and Niya Phiri of Clyde & Co.