Housing reform fears

The Law Commission’s latest proposals to improve regulation of the private rented sector could be ‘meaningless’ given the government’s ‘dismal record’ for implementing change, top housing lawyer David Watkinson has warned. Proposals include creating a housing standards monitor and making landlord accreditation available in every local authority.

‘Professor’ convicted

A fraudster who posed as a ‘professor of immigration’ and charged up to £5,000 for ‘advice’ has been convicted at the Old Bailey and faces a custodial sentence. Max Kingsley, 60, had claimed to be a solicitor in Watford.

Compensation for solicitor

A solicitor is to receive £400 compensation after the Local Government Ombudsman found Plymouth City Council ‘guilty of maladministration causing injustice’. The solicitor, who cannot be named, complained that the council’s slowness to act resulted in £400 of extra costs that he was unable to pass on to his clients.

LCS enforces awards

The Legal Complaints Service is now bypassing solicitors who are slow to pay awards made against them for poor service and is directly approaching their insurers for payment instead. In just nine months, the new procedure has netted more than £250,000 for consumers.

Gray stands down

David Gray, chief executive of national firm Eversheds, is standing down after six years. Gray said he was handing over control to an exceptional senior management team with a clear strategy for the future. His successor will be chosen by election.

More dough for Baker

US firm Baker & McKenzie reported record revenues of $2.19bn (£1.09bn) for the year ending June 2008 – a 20% rise on the previous year. The firm reported double-digit revenue growth in all world regions. John Conroy, chairman of the firm’s executive committee, said he expected continued growth in 2008/09.

Fraud soaring

Large-scale frauds rocketed 50% in the first half of 2008 compared to 2007 to a combined value of £630m, according to KPMG’s fraud barometer. More than half of frauds in excess of £100,000 being heard in the UK’s courts arose in the financial sector (£350m).

LCJ on the street

Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips will be among a host of lawyers taking to the streets on 25 September in a series of 10km after-work walks to raise money for charities providing free legal advice to people in need.

Nurse duty for Bates

The Royal College of Nursing has chosen London firm Bates Wells & Braithwaite as its sole corporate legal adviser – the first time it has changed its legal services provider since 1916. The appointment followed a competitive tendering process involving more than 50 firms.

Irish ayes for ADR

The Irish Law Reform Commission (ILRC) gave the green light to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in a recently issued consultation paper, while making recommendations about the best ways to resolve a variety of disputes. The ILRC said ADR ‘must be seen as an integral part of any modern civil justice system’.