United Kingdom: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

The Government's plans to modernise criminal disclosure through artificial intelligence promise efficiency but raise fundamental questions about transparency and fairness. As AI systems begin reviewing millions of digital records in criminal investigations, the challenge shifts from finding material to understanding how technology determines what matters—and whether those decisions can be meaningfully scrutinised when trial fairness depends on it.

Generative AI is transforming legal discovery by enabling machine-first, human-verified workflows that promise unprecedented speed and efficiency. However, the real challenge lies not in the technology's capability to process vast volumes of data, but in strategically deploying senior legal expertise to ensure reviews remain both defensible and valuable.

This is the first article in our new series “From data to direction: using AI in litigation/investigations”. We’ll explore rapidly evolving AI-enabled capabilities, the power of combining tools and technologies and how you can effectively manage and analyze your data sources.

Probate fraud encompasses various forms of dishonest conduct involving wills, estates, and inheritance processes. From forged documents and executor misconduct to concealed assets and manipulated beneficiaries, understanding the warning signs and available legal remedies is essential for protecting estates and preserving rightful inheritances.

Discover how in-house legal teams are approaching litigation strategy in 2025, from viewing disputes as operational necessities to leveraging alternative funding and managing geopolitical risks. Our comprehensive survey of 81 businesses reveals the evolving priorities shaping legal decision-making across industries.

Explore comprehensive legal insights and expert commentary from Irwin Mitchell, covering key sectors and legal topics. Discover how in-house legal teams are navigating litigation priorities, managing risk, and leveraging external expertise in an evolving legal landscape.

Separating from a controlling or high-conflict partner presents unique challenges that extend beyond typical divorce proceedings. This article examines the specific behaviours that complicate divorce, financial remedy and children proceedings in England and Wales, offering practical strategies for managing difficult communication, incomplete financial disclosure and co-parenting disputes while maintaining focus on legally relevant evidence rather than personality labels.

Major infrastructure projects across the UK are driving significant investment and job creation, from Heathrow's third runway apprenticeship initiative to Universal's £5bn Bedford theme park. Recent developments include strategic contractor appointments, record-breaking revenue reports, and crucial legal guidance on pre-action disclosure for construction disputes.

International arbitration awards face enforcement challenges when parties claim procedural unfairness under Article V(1)(b) of the New York Convention. Courts worldwide grapple with defining what constitutes being "unable to present a case" while balancing minimum fairness standards against the finality of arbitral awards.

Eversheds Sutherland provides comprehensive legal services through a global network of separate and distinct legal entities. The firm's website offers access to legal professionals, insights on international arbitration, workplace technology deployment, and sovereign immunity cases, while maintaining clear disclaimers about the general information nature of its materials.

The UK Supreme Court's narrow 3-2 decision in The Kingdom of Bahrain v Shehabi denies state immunity to foreign governments accused of remotely hacking individuals within UK territory, establishing that cyber surveillance operations causing harm to UK residents fall outside traditional immunity protections. This landmark ruling clarifies the territorial tort exception under the State Immunity Act 1978 and may expose foreign states to liability for state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting UK-based individuals

The UK Supreme Court has ruled on whether sovereign states can invoke immunity to resist enforcement of adverse ICSID arbitration awards in English courts. Spain and Zimbabwe challenged the registration...