Irwin’s Bristol move

National firm Irwin Mitchell is to set up a Bristol office for personal injury and clinical negligence work, with 27 legal and support staff.

Single site for SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority, which is based in Redditch and Leamington Spa, aims to occupy a single West Midlands site by 2012 to help it ‘break down the silos’, according to its strategic plan. However, it will continue with plans for the launch of a London office for corporate regulation, expected next month.

Cohabitation rights
Figures from the Office of National Statistics showing marriage percentage rates at their lowest since records began in 1862 ‘highlight the urgent need to give legal rights to couples who live together’, family lawyers’ group Resolution has said.

Jackson talk on costs
Lord Justice Jackson will speak at the Law Society’s Costs Conference on 23 February in London. See lawsociety.org.uk.