As HSJ went to press, the government seemed on the verge of dropping legal aid proposals requiring losing litigants to stump up for their legal bills from any equity in their house over the first £3,000. At present, equity of up to £100,000 is protected.

The press and public have the right of access to any document put before a court in litigation unless there is some good reason not to let them see it, following a ruling by the Appeal Court in litigation brought by the administrators of Barings Bank. But fortunately for those who might be embarrassed if their memos, letters or witness statements hit the press, the judgement has gone largely unnoticed.