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Monday, 9 September 2019

My top 5 Legal Blogs 2019




Back in 2014 I posted about my top 5 legal blogs.

We are now in 2019 and it is fair to say that the world has changed. 

At that that time we were just getting used to LASPO. Most people had not heard of #Brexit. We still had, what seemed to be, a functioning criminal justice system. As far as we knew the law was breaking but not yet broken…quite. There are also many more blogs than there used to be. Many firms now produce their own very high quality blogs. Since I finished full time legal practice I have developed a greater interests in previously unfamiliar areas of law such as criminal justice. 

Now seems a good time to stand back and look at the best blogs for lawyers in 2019.

1.      Civil Litigation Briefhttps://civillitigationbrief.wordpress.com/

Yes – 5 years after my original past, Gordon’s regular Civil Litigation update still rules the charts. It has grown into an essential point of reference for all civil litigators. Most recently we have – Proving Things 161 – Documents Being Destroyed and Experts who were of very Limited Assistance. 


The fact that this singe topic has reached that number says all you need to know about the breadth of topics that he covers. One very useful feature is ‘search this site’ which enables you to research a particular topic and also to have a nose into what others are looking for!

From Gordon’s tweets we can see some wonderful searches –

"do opposing solicitors talk to one another"

"i've been committed to prison for contempt of court in london, where am i likely to be sent?"

This blog is a daily ritual alongside toast, coffee and Naga Munchetty


2.      Nearly Legalhttps://nearlylegal.co.uk/blog/

Solicitor, Giles Peaker’s blog about all things housing has become an equally important resource. I began life in a Law Centre and housing law was never seen as the most fashionable work, even though it affected many of the most vulnerable in society. There has been a mini explosion of firms who now want to get into Housing Disrepair work as an alternative to whiplash. They think it will be an easy source of income because of the favourable rules on costs recovery. Anyone who has done the work knows that it is a potential minefield. Giles’ wisdom and experience is an important guide for those who are serious about the work. 

His work on the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 has been invaluable –


He covers all areas of Housing Law with intellectual depth and clarity of writing that this blog should be the main reference for any lawyers who advise tenants.

3.    Secret Barristerhttps://thesecretbarrister.com/

Most lawyers should now have read the ‘book’, which has topped best selling lists and informed the world of the scandalous demise of our criminal justice system. The blog is an equally important read.

Recent posts have included – Don’t fall for Boris Johnson’s Criminal Justice Con Tricks –


SB has also written the important, A Letter to My Younger Pupil Self –


with great words of wisdom for those who are starting out on life at bar. Trainee solicitors should also read…

It is not a daily post but every one is a gem.

4.    Costs Barristerhttp://costsbarrister.co.uk/

The whole area of legal costs has grown massively over the last few years. This began with the infamous costs wars of the early noughties. The pace of change has not eased! Solicitors are now having to get to grips with the possibility of clients claiming back success fees following Herbert v HH Law, the growing dominance of fixed costs and the shambles of QOCS – the topic which is covered in this recent post –


Andrew Hogan has long been a leading authority on costs issues and this blog is a must.

5.      Legal Cheekhttps://www.legalcheek.com/

Another blog which is still right up there 5 years on.

It is an antidote to the perception that the law is dull! It is aimed at those who are new (ish) to the profession. It covers important issues such as today’s post about trainee retention at a city firm –


But you are just as likely to come across a witty cartoon, quirky news and most memorably a post on photos of dogs dressed as lawyers!


I said in 2014 that I did not think that blogs would overtake the classic law books. But the quality and range of available blogs will soon call that into question…




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