My Story – Deborah Eke, Legal Drafter
Deborah Eke’s legal career has spanned jurisdictions, practice areas, and major life milestones. Since moving to the UK, she has requalified, built a civil advocacy practice, met her husband, and recently returned to work following maternity leave after welcoming her son, Zimuzo. In this blog, Deborah reflects on her journey into law, what attracted her […]
Wasted costs and “Negligence”: Employment Appeal Tribunal clarifies the threshold in Gurney v Randall & Others [2025] EAT 154
Introduction On 23 October 2025, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) handed down its judgment in Gurney v Randall & Others [2025] EAT 154, a case that re-examines the meaning of “negligence” in the context of applications for wasted costs against legal representatives. The decision confirms that the threshold for wasted costs remains exceptionally high and that […]
Challenges and open questions in the FCA’s proposed Motor Finance Redress Scheme
A closer look at the grey areas and what they mean for lenders, consumer advisers, and the legal community by Craig Leigh, Barrister & Managing Director of 8PP. Introduction: The scale and ambition of the FCA’s proposals The Financial Conduct Authority’s Consultation Paper CP25/27 represents one of the most ambitious redress exercises ever considered by a […]
FAQs: The FCA’s Proposed Motor Finance Redress Scheme (CP25/27)
What law firms, lenders, brokers, and consumer advisers need to know about the FCA’s 360-page consultation on historic motor-finance commission arrangements. On 7 October 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Consultation Paper CP25/27, outlining proposals for a wide-ranging Motor Finance Consumer Redress Scheme. At more than 350 pages, the paper represents the FCA’s most detailed response to years […]
Court awards pre-allocation costs in housing disrepair claim despite omission of CPR 46.11
Guidance from Craig Leigh on the continuing application of Birmingham City Council v Lee and court discretion on pre-allocation costs In Carter v Leeds City Council (County Court at Leeds, District Judge Hill, 17 June 2025) the court considered whether, following the omission of CPR 46.11 from the CPR, it retained jurisdiction to award pre-allocation costs in […]
Supreme Court clarifies car finance commission law: What Johnson v FirstRand Bank means for consumers and lenders
On 1 August 2025, the Supreme Court delivered its long-awaited judgment in Johnson v FirstRand Bank and the conjoined appeals of Hopcraft and Wrench. The case concerned whether undisclosed or partially disclosed commissions paid by lenders to car dealers in hire-purchase transactions gave rise to liability in tort or equity as well as (in the case of Mr Johnson) […]
Birmingham v Lee extended – and tenant claimants protected
Craig Leigh of 8PP secures key pre-allocation costs ruling in Shillito v Sheffield City Council. Craig Leigh of 8PP has achieved a significant success on behalf of a tenant in her disrepair claim against Sheffield City Council, with the court granting an important costs order on the fast track – even though the claim is […]
Awaab’s Law: Government sets timeline for enforcing new damp and mould standards
Last week, the UK Government issued a formal written statement setting out the implementation timetable and regulatory framework for Awaab’s Law – a critical reform mandating social landlords to address serious hazards such as damp and mould within strict time limits. The law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died from prolonged exposure to mould […]
ADR and Court Process: When tenants can say no
Hasan v Bristol City Council: Tenant rights strengthened as Stay Application refused In a recent case at Bristol County Court, the court has demonstrated that a tenant will not always be forced to exhaust a landlord’s internal complaints procedure (ICP) before pursuing a housing disrepair claim. Hasan v Bristol City Council (Claim No: L15ZA360) is an important […]
Court of Appeal Ruling in Expert Tooling and Automation Limited v Engie Power Limited: A Strong Judicial Signal for PCP Appeals?
The Court of Appeal delivered its much-anticipated judgment in Expert Tooling and Automation Limited v Engie Power Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 292 last Friday (21 March 2025), marking a critical development in the law of fiduciary duty, informed consent, and accessory liability. The ruling provides valuable insight into how the court may approach similar issues in the […]