Will Reed-Simons

No longer simply a regional player, Manchester is proving itself to be a major UK legal powerhouse. Here Barry Gibb, partner and head of Hill Dickinson LLP’s Manchester office, explores why investing in the UK’s legal ‘second city’ is the way to capitalise on the region’s upswing. https://lnkd.in/ek7RiWsG

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The judgment in RBH Building Contractors Ltd v Ashley James & Anor has now been released. This case, involving James Frampton, raised several interesting points concerning residential occupier exception, payless notices and adjudicator's fees:   1) The Defendants successfully resisted summary judgment by relying on the residential occupier exception under section 106. Although there was a developer’s loan stating that the property would not be occupied and was for business purposes, the Court held that the defence raised issues that needed to be determined at trial. See [19] to [45].   2) Contrary to the adjudicator’s decision, the Court found the Defendants’ payless notice to be valid. A list of disputed bullet points was present, only some of which were valued in the notice itself. See [46] to [56].   3) The Court confirmed that if the adjudicator’s decision had been enforced, it would not have had jurisdiction to revisit the adjudicator's decision on his fees, despite concluding on the Part 8 that the adjudicator was wrong. See [57] to [77]. The full judgment can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/erpyTU5M

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The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by Google concerning the service of a claim form outside the jurisdiction. It has also refused a cross-appeal concerning the costs test in relief from sanctions applications. In Robertson v Google LLC [2025] EWCA Civ 1262, the claimant (a YouTuber) brought a discrimination and contract claim against Google concerning, among other things, the termination of his YouTube channel. Catrin Evans KC and Nathan Roberts represented Google, instructed by Pinsent Masons. Catrin presented Google’s case on the appeal. Nathan presented Google’s case on the new jurisdictional arguments and the cross-appeal. Read more here: https://ow.ly/5onL50X8k6E

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Through the Windrush Legal Initiative, BCLP lawyers are helping clients to obtain compensation for the historic injustice suffered due to the UK Government’s hostile migration policies.    Since 2021, our London team has partnered with Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) and seven other firms to assist individuals applying to the Windrush Compensation Scheme—helping them to build strong cases with a human-centered approach to advocacy.    To date, we’ve contributed over 700 hours and helped secure more than £800,000 in compensation for clients of the Initiative.    Across borders and systems, our pro bono work connects legal skill with community need—driven by purpose, and grounded in service.    Explore more in our 2024 Pro Bono Report: https://lnkd.in/eb9JN7rZ

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