CLAS acts

An ecumenical group representing 38 Christian churches and the Jewish community is to lobby the government over legislation that could affect its interests. The Churches Legislation Advisory Service will tackle legal issues including land, buildings, taxation, immigration and charity. It welcomes law firms as associate members.

Diversity dip
The number of firms taking part in an annual diversity league table has dropped by a third. The 2008 Black Solicitors Network ratings list 41 firms, down from 63 last year. Of the 41, 39 had women partners, the same number had minority ethnic partners and six had black partners. Half of the sample recruit from ‘a narrow band of elite universities’.

Expert witness support
Justice minister Bridget Prentice has signalled support for the mandatory accreditation of expert witnesses. Responding to questions at the Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference, she said there is ‘a good argument’ for compulsion. Prentice urged delegates to respond to the Law Commission’s consultation on expert witnesses.

Shaw thing for LCCSA
Raymond Shaw, partner at central London firm Shaw Graham Kersh, has been elected president of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association. He was formerly the group’s vice-president and takes over from Tan Ikram.

Boiler room pressure
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) called on regulators and law enforcement agencies across the globe to tackle ‘boiler room’ fraud, where criminals convince individuals to buy up worthless shares. FSA director of enforcement Margaret Cole said: ‘We want to form a strong alliance... understanding that, ultimately, we’re talking about serious organised international crime.’ Boiler room fraud is estimated to cost the UK public £300m annually.

Litigation cost ignorance
Half of FTSE 350 executives do not know how to use after-the-event insurance and third-party funding to manage litigation costs, according to an Ipsos Mori survey commissioned by City firm Addleshaw Goddard. Around three-quarters (76%) of respondents said costs were their main concern in any dispute, but only 10% said they had experience with conditional fee arrangements. Only 2% had used third-party funding and 46% said they would be unlikely to do so in future (see Editorial).

Middle East venture
Three City firms are among a government-led delegation heading to the Middle East to showcase the UK’s expertise in Islamic finance. Magic circle firm Freshfields and City firms Norton Rose and Simmons & Simmons will join UK Trade & Investment at the World Islamic Banking Conference in Bahrain. Andrew Cahn, UK Trade & Investment chief executive, said it is ‘more important than ever’ that the UK financial services sector targets the growing Islamic finance market.

Transfer review
Lawyers from South America, Russia, China and Japan are likely to benefit from revamped transfer regulations. The Solicitors Regulation Authority is proposing a new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), which would introduce three assessment schemes – one for UK-qualified lawyers, one for lawyers qualified in overseas jurisdictions and an aptitude test for European lawyers. A 12-week consultation opened on Tuesday.

Environmental awareness
The Legal Sector Alliance of environmentally aware law firms, chambers and in-house legal teams has launched a set of principles that include engaging in the public debate on climate change and developing, applying and promoting best practice. www.legalsectoralliance.com

New Land Registry rules
New rules to combat land registration fraud came into force on Monday. The Land Registry has introduced new versions of forms AP1, DS2 and FR1 with additional panels relating to confirmation of identity. Applications lodged after 21 November using the old forms will be rejected.

Lawyer wins top PI award
Hilary Meredith of Hilary Meredith Solicitors has been named the UK’s leading personal injury lawyer at the inaugural Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards. Judges praised Meredith for her work with the armed forces worldwide and, in particular, for her involvement in Gulf War syndrome claims.