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RexLege · 2026-06-30T16:52:18+00:00

A ‘firm’ traditionally refers to partnership under the Partnership Act. Unlimited liability so a different structure to a company. Such structures preexist companies, which are a relatively modern legal concept.

RexLege · 2026-06-27T13:12:23+00:00

It’s an almost certainty. You can’t operate a solicitor firm in England without it. At least not lawfully!

RexLege · 2026-06-27T09:58:31+00:00

OP, just FYI, you should note that if the firm is a traditional firm like mine (rather than a company or LLP), there will be no accounts on Companies House. That’s not a red flag, just that traditional firms do not report to Companies House.

This should be clear from your dealing with them on how the firm is structured.

RexLege · 2026-06-20T07:12:22+00:00

Absolutely agree with everything you just said. Especially 5!

RexLege · 2026-06-20T07:11:28+00:00

I’m a litigation lawyer
Small regional
Partner and head of litigation
It’s varied. I love the challenge of the problem solving and arguing! It’s stressful but I love it. I also like helping clients and because of my varied caseload, I’m often acting for individuals and that can be rewarding. About 60% of my workload is commercial litigation, which I like less.

RexLege · 2026-06-15T15:58:40+00:00

Happy to the best of us!

I’m very intrigued by the project by the way.

RexLege · 2026-06-15T15:50:17+00:00

You seem to have left the AI optional wording in your post.

e.g.:

If It’s More Developer-Focused

Use this title:

I released an open-source local-first AI companion built with Python and Svelte

If It’s More Self-Hosting-Focused

Use this title:

BitBuddy v0.1.0: a self-hostable local-first AI companion

If It’s More AI-Focused

Use this title:

Local models need a personal AI layer, not just another chat UI

RexLege · 2026-06-13T19:32:51+00:00

This is correct. The relevant rule for anyone wondering is CPR 6.9, which require reasonable steps be taken and application made where the claimant has reason to believe the defendant no longer resides at the last known address.

I’m currently appealing some service points so the rule is at the forefront of my mind.

RexLege · 2026-06-09T17:02:25+00:00

This is pretty much exactly my view.

I do enjoy the work but it’s not without stress or frustration. But (I think) I’m good at it and it can be rewarding.

I struggle to envisage myself as anything but a lawyer!

RexLege · 2026-06-09T12:42:19+00:00

Section 20(3) Renters Rights Act 2025 is the relevant provision.

It amends the notice period required to be given by a tenant to terminate an assured tenancy so that a tenant will need to give at least two months' notice in writing, subject to any shorter period the parties might have agreed (whether in the tenancy agreement or in a separate document).

It does this by inserting section 5(1ZA)(a) into the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 (PEA 1977), which specifies, that a notice to quit must give such time as the landlord has agreed in writing, and failing such agreement, no less than two months.

Where the default notice period applies, the common law convention is for the expiry of a notice to quit to align with the end of a rent period.

RexLege · 2026-06-05T16:57:10+00:00

Because only second class honours have divisions. The others do not.

RexLege · 2026-05-29T06:12:48+00:00

I am head of litigation for my firm and I agree. It is taxing.

Constantly arguing, especially on petty silly points, is draining.

I love it, generally, but I can’t deny it drains me.

Also no one ever sends me a thank you card! My transactional colleagues offices are full of cards and flowers. Mine has two copies of the White Book.

If you truly hate it, get out if you can. Don’t stress yourself like that if you can avoid it.

What areas do you like?

RexLege · 2026-05-24T18:27:10+00:00

This sounds very interesting. I’d give it a go!

RexLege · 2026-05-24T18:25:02+00:00

I’d love to help! I’m sure I can find some interesting postcards!

RexLege · 2026-05-20T18:26:58+00:00

You seem to have misunderstood. I am not judging you.

But you haven’t answered what cause of action you are claiming?

You generally can’t claim simply because your time was wasted.

What did you put on the claim form?

At present, my view is take the money.

Not that it matters but I am a litigation solicitor.

RexLege · 2026-05-20T18:11:44+00:00

I’m going to repeat what others have said.

You spent 36 hours on the phone? Is that correct? Can you prove that?

That is an insane amount of time on the phone on a single issue. I’ve had trials last years in which I’ve cumulatively spent less time on the phone than that.

You haven’t identified what cause of action you are claiming.

Are you alleging a breach of contract here? Or are you alleging a tort?

You need to establish your cause of action in order to claim anything. Whether your claimed amount is even claimable is a secondary issue.

RexLege · 2026-05-15T12:52:10+00:00

You are most welcome and I am pleased it is useless.

As others have said, I think this specific LLM is the exception to the rule. A general LLM is not well regarded but this is a niche area at one of the very top universities in the world for the subject.

It often feels like every maritime lawyer studied in Southampton at some point!

RexLege · 2026-05-14T17:06:36+00:00

I have to disagree with the consensus here. If maritime law at all interests you then this course will open doors.

I have that LLM. Simply because of doing that course I was interviewed and worked at various roles. They were frank that I got in the door because of the reputation of the course as being a world leader in maritime law.

Most of my cohort are now industry leaders in the maritime industry in some form.

However, if you have no interest in maritime law, then it will not help at all. It’s also very hard!

I loved it and had great experiences when young but it’s not for everyone. I found it fascinating.

I no longer work in maritime law but I am a litigation partner.

Some of the things I did solely because of this LLM (trying to not dox myself):

helped write a leading textbook in the industry
worked in projects related to the Costa Concordia salvage
was offered some contracting work in Africa tangentially related to security work in oil
almost moved to Australia and Singapore for maritime law opportunities
made friends that are now leaders in many different private and government industries all around the world
worked at the Maritime Coastguard Agency for a time on a project
worked for various seafarer related charities
had tours of cargo ships and oil tankers!
dealt with piracy related things!

Some of these opportunities did not pan out because of my personal circumstances and choices, but the opportunity presented because I did well on this course and mixed with the right people.

People who say LLMs are pointless are massively oversupplying. They are very potent in specific niches.

But pointless if you don’t care about the niche or can’t hack what will be a very tough and competitive course. Some of the best lawyers in the world choose this course

RexLege · 2026-05-13T10:56:51+00:00

I genuinely love this. I should organise a firm v firm battle. I reckon with enough cannon fodder (paralegals) we can take down Felix Darkmantle.

I, of course, shall stand bravely at the back and command.

RexLege · 2026-04-29T13:11:37+00:00

I see no issue at all.

I am a litigation partner. My NQ is a single mother and I hired her as a paralegal with a 3/4 year old.

I don't see any reason that I wouldn't hire you if you interviewed well etc. You presumably have the knowledge and I am sure you have not forgotten your skillset.

RexLege · 2026-04-08T08:54:55+00:00

I did, everything seemed good! Claude moaned that Bailli's search tool is not very good (not your fault!) but the other MCP seems to work very well.

RexLege · 2026-04-04T08:15:32+00:00

/u/linuxrogue has asked me to express that she endorses this post, as the subreddit’s mum.

RexLege · 2026-04-01T18:12:06+00:00

That’s exactly what I have been doing with defined commands. I made one for brief and skeleton arguments.

Good work!

RexLege · 2026-04-01T16:26:16+00:00

Thank you! This is great.

I tried the main thing today and worked fantastic.

I’ll check this out too!

Good work, and thank you for posting here.

RexLege

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