CBE for Mackie
Karl Mackie (pictured), chief executive of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, the first time ‘services to mediation’ has been cited as a reason for an honour. Lord Colin Tyre QC, former president of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, also received a CBE.
Council consortium
A new consortium of nine London councils and five in Kent has appointed 26 firms to its legal panel. Local authorities involved include the London boroughs of Barnet, Hillingdon and Sutton, as well as Dartford, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells borough councils and the City of London Corporation.
Marketing study launched
The National Solicitors Selling Survey, a national survey of solicitors’ marketing activities, launched this week. Survey results will be made available to all participants. For more details, go to www.sellingforsolicitors.co.uk.
PII practice note updated
The Law Society has updated its professional indemnity insurance practice note to include the application process for 2010/11. See lawsociety.org.uk.
Beith re-elected
Sir Alan Beith MP has been re-elected unopposed for a second term as chair of the Commons Justice Select Committee. The remaining committee members will be nominated by the House of Commons shortly.
Asylum administration
Refugee and Migrant Justice, an organisation that represents asylum seekers, has gone into administration despite a high-profile publicity campaign calling on the government to save it. See lawgazette.co.uk/news.
Clarke becomes champion
Prime minister David Cameron has appointed justice secretary Kenneth Clarke as international anti-corruption champion. Clarke will be tasked with ensuring the effective implementation of the Bribery Act 2010.
Law Society AGM
The Law Society’s annual general meeting will take place at 2.30pm on Thursday 15 July at 113 Chancery Lane. All members are welcome. The agenda includes
the annual report and accounts and proposed amendments to the bye-laws. See lawsociety.org.uk.
Legal services views
The Legal Services Board has published a series of essays by key figures in the legal sector on the future of legal services. See www.legalservicesboard.org.uk.
