Expert Analysis

• 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.

• Cos. Can Start Preparing Now For Immigration Beyond Brexit

  

  Ahead of the U.K.'s likely departure from the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020, companies should use the one-year transition period to help workers understand any new registration requirements, evaluate budgetary concerns and expedite any employee relocations, say Julia Onslow-Cole and Charlotte Wills at Fragomen.

• #MeToo Pressure On UK Businesses Is Set To Rise

  

  Recent declarations by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority indicate that sexual harassment in the U.K.'s financial services industry may lead to consequences under the newly expanded Senior Managers and Certification Regime, and other sectors are facing growing scrutiny as well, say attorneys at Covington.

• Opinion

  UK's Insurer Investigations May Not Help Policyholders

  

  The U.K. Ministry of Justice's recent investigations into insurers suspected of not passing on savings to consumers suggests insurers may see consequences for their hollow promises, but only if the government follows through to hold insurers accountable, says Tom Jones of Thompsons Solicitors.

• The Outlook For Autonomous Vehicles In The UK And US

  

  As both the U.K. and U.S. governments continue to develop regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles, manufacturers can take certain steps to avoid litigation and manage risk, say attorneys at FaegreBD.

• Brexit's Impact On London As A Top Int'l Arbitration Seat

  

  Despite concerns that London may be considered a less attractive place to do business post-Brexit, there are many reasons to believe that the city will retain its position as a globally favored arbitral seat, say Adrian Jones and James Wagner at FaegreBD.

• Post-Brexit UK Likely To Conform With EU On Human Rights

  

  In a recent speech, U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated his intent to expand sanctions for human rights violations by extending the so-called Magnitsky amendment, strongly indicating that Britain's exit from the EU would be unlikely to disrupt coordinated efforts to address international transgressions against human rights, says Stephen Baker at Baker & Partners.

• The Evolution Of GDPR Enforcement Across The EU

  

  With the last few months bringing significant fines to major businesses that have breached the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, it is clear that regulators are moving away from the light-touch approach they employed during the transition to the new rules, says James Simpson of Blaser Mills.

• Series

  Why I Became A Lawyer: Being There For Families In Trouble

  

  My parents' contentious, drawn-out divorce was one of the worst experiences of my life. But it taught me how to be resilient — and ultimately led me to leave corporate litigation for a career in family law, helping other families during their own difficult times, says Sheryl Seiden of Seiden Family Law.

• 3 Ways To Leverage Vulnerability For Lawyer Well-Being

  

  Admitting to imperfection is an elusive construct in the legal industry, but addressing this roadblock by capitalizing on vulnerabilities can increase personal and professional power, says life coach and attorney Julie Krolczyk.

• Zurich Case Brings Clarity To Complex Contempt Proceedings

  

  The U.K. Court of Appeal's recent decision in Zurich v. Romaine provides insight into the meaning of "in the public interest" in the context of bringing contempt proceedings against a party or witness who verifies false claims, says Matt Peacock of Signature Litigation.

• What A No-Deal Brexit Would Mean For Dispute Resolution

  

  In the event of a no-deal Brexit, arbitration may become a more attractive option as a dispute resolution mechanism, as it offers relatively easy enforcement and clauses that could negate some uncertainty caused by Brexit, says Donna Goldsworthy of BDB Pitmans.

• The Problem — And Opportunity — Of Implicit Bias In The Bar

  

  Law firms are beginning to recognize implicit bias as a problem. But too few recognize that it is also an opportunity to broaden our thinking and become better legal problem solvers, says Daniel Karon of Karon LLC.

• Roundup

  Pursuing Wellness

  

  In this Expert Analysis series, leaders at some of the law firms that committed to the American Bar Association's 2018 pledge to improve mental health and well-being in the legal industry explain how they put certain elements of the initiative into action.