A lawsuit is a legal claim brought before a court by one party against another to seek a remedy, usually for breach of a legal right or duty. In UK and Irish practice, more precise terms such as “claim”, “action” or “proceedings” are commonly used, but “lawsuit” is widely understood as a descriptive, non‑technical expression rather than a defined statutory term.In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, a lawsuit typically refers to civil court proceedings commenced by a claim form, writ or originating application, seeking remedies such as damages, injunctions, declarations or specific performance. In Scotland, the equivalent concepts are an “action” (e.g. an ordinary action or summary cause) or “proceedings” raised in the sheriff court or Court of Session. In Ireland, “proceedings” or “action” are the usual terms, commenced by originating summons, plenary summons or civil bill.The term covers all stages of the civil litigation process, from issue and service through pleadings, disclosure, interim applications, trial, judgment and enforcement, and may include appeals. It does not ordinarily include criminal prosecutions, although non‑lawyers may use it loosely in that sense.

MLex: Meta Platforms faces a lawsuit filed yesterday by a German consumer group that has asked judges to block the social media company's training of its AI model with personal data. Consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale, of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, wants to stop Meta's plans in summary proceedings. Meta can’t use the GDPR’s “legitimate interest” as a basis for its AI training, which is due to start from 27 May 2025, the organization said.

Lawtech UK has published the survey results of Remote Courts Worldwide, which is a website designed to allow those working in the legal sector to share their experiences of remote alternatives to traditional court hearings. The survey, which as of January 2021 had received 131 responses from 40 jurisdictions, found that although 50.4% of respondents experienced video quality issues during remote proceedings, 52.7% of respondents nonetheless believed remote proceedings offered opportunities to improve the efficiency of their judicial system.

An individual who is qualified and authorised to be a lawyer.

Law360, London: A former manager at a law firm was cleared on 29 May 2025 of allegations that he had helped an undercover journalist to make a fake asylum claim, as a tribunal ruled that the lawyer did not act dishonestly.

Law360, London: A solicitor was cleared of dishonesty on 17 September 2024 after he was accused of lying to his insurer to hide the acquisition by his company of another firm's work and staff after his insurer refused to offer cover for the change.

Law360, London: A barrister who 'recklessly misled' the court over the course of judicial review application proceedings into immigration decisions was disbarred by the profession's disciplinary tribunal on 9 January 2025.

Law360: A legal trade body has ended court proceedings against the UK government after it agreed to make changes to a new regime to extend fixed recoverable costs in personal injury cases.

Private Client analysis: In a case which had already caught onshore attention, the Guernsey Court of Appeal has confirmed (17 March 2023) that an advocate (solicitor) owes no duty of care to existing beneficiaries when making new Wills for a testator of uncertain capacity. The case makes important statements of general application for tort law liability. The case is likely to be cited in equivalent circumstances throughout the common law world. Gordon Dawes and Chantal Barrett, who acted for the successful Respondent, and Gilly Kennedy-Smith all at Mourant comment on the decision.

This Checklist identifies issues you need to consider when arranging a mediation after the parties have agreed to mediation or the court has ordered it. It covers three stages: • arranging the mediation • the period immediately prior to the mediation, and • what is required at the mediation Arranging the mediation Issue to consider What needs to be done Further guidance Completed The form of mediation Investigate and discuss with your client whether the mediation can and / or should be conducted either:—face to face—by telephone, or—‘online’, ie remotely via video conferencing See: Remote access mediation—checklist The mediator Appoint the mediator. See Practice Note: Choosing a mediator The mediation fees / expenses Agree these with the mediator. These will usually be shared between the parties. See Practice Note: Mediation costs—liability and recovery The mediation agreement Agree the terms of the mediation agreement with the other party / parties and the mediator. See Practice Note: Organising a mediation The administrative arrangements Make the administrative

Law360: A British lawyer who was convicted in the USA over a multimillion-dollar tax fraud was barred from practising in England on 2 February 2024 after a tribunal concluded that he was shown to have been dishonest.

Means an authorised body in which lawyers of England and Wales are the national groups with the largest/equal largest share of control.