RecordHigh

Record-High $14.5 Billion in Nuclear Verdicts Challenges U.S. Restaurant Industry; Calls for Improved Safety Protocols and Insurance Strategies Surge

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In recent years, the phenomenon of nuclear verdicts, where juries award damages exceeding $10 million, has seen a significant rise in the United States. These colossal sums, which reached an all-time high of over $14.5 billion in total awards in 2023, pose a grave threat to the sustainability of businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. Defined as judgements substantially higher than what would be typically awarded in similar cases, nuclear verdicts are not confined to one industry or incident type. They can stem from incidents as varied as disputes in restaurant parking lots to serious … Read more

Urgent Reforms Proposed to Tackle Record-High Backlog in England’s Crown Courts

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LONDON, England — Anthony Rogers, the chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, has indicated that drastic measures, including possibly doing away with the right to trial by jury, may be necessary to address the unprecedented backlog in England and Wales’ crown courts. Rogers pointed out that the volume of pending cases has soared to a record high, putting significant strain on the entire judiciary system. The Ministry of Justice reports that there are currently 73,105 outstanding criminal cases in crown courts. This severe backlog has prompted Rogers and others within the criminal justice … Read more