Headlines – Page 1517
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PII working group
I would like to express my disappointment that the recent article headed ‘PII premiums to rise, crisis group warns’ used the word ‘crisis’ to describe the situation and the purpose of the group...
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Lukewarm defence
The defence by Barry Hughes, chief Crown prosecutor, London, of his associate prosecutors can be described as lukewarm at best (see [2009] Gazette, 9 April, 9).
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First impressions
Kevin Beach acknowledges that it is ‘a long time since I practised criminal law’ (see [2009] Gazette, 17 April, 9). This comment is unlikely to inspire confidence in readers seeking to derive an informed judgement on the abilities of associate prosecutors.
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Missed opportunities for reform
On 5 March Gazette reporter Jonathan Rayner wrote a deeply personal and disturbing account of his son’s experiences of the criminal justice and mental health services.
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If the cap doesn't fit, don't wear it
Attention corporate counsel – the big four accountancy firms are trying yet again to limit the extent to which they can be sued for audit failures.
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The Equality Bill – what’s all the fuss about?
It’s open season on Harriet Harman’s Equality Bill, published this week. One newspaper dubbed it ‘unfair on men’...
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SRA considers rise in Compensation Fund levy
Cash-strapped solicitors may have to pay ‘a significantly larger’ sum into the Compensation Fund as more firms require intervention in a deepening recession. Papers considered last week by the Solicitors Regulation Authority board forecast that the number of interventions is expected to rise from 71 in 2008 to more than ...
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Reforms to the Local Transport Act 2008 will create more work for lawyers
The humble bus is about to drive through a number of new avenues for litigation, following enactment of the Local Transport Act 2008. Traffic commissioners, most of whom were originally solicitors, will gain wider powers to fine operators who run unsafe vehicles, to impound the offending ...
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Data page for April 2009
The data page is the financial rates and data compiled for the Law Society Gazette by MoneyFacts Group, the UK's largest supplier of savings and mortgage data. Downloads Download the ...
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Budget savings through IT? Don’t make me laugh
Alistair Darling’s budget was always going to be about saving money. A lot of money. It turns out that the Ministry of Justice has to find nearly £1.1bn in savings, and the Law Officers Departments must find £94m (see online news).
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Criminal law: defence costs orders and more
Important provisions in relation to the taxation of defence costs orders, made in the magistrates’ court, came into effect on 13 October 2008. All such bills delivered after that date will now be taxed by the appropriate National Taxing Team rather than by the court itself.
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Minority Lawyers Conference
The Minority Lawyers Conference was held last weekend. For many students and young solicitors, and indeed myself, it was inspiring to see and hear successful BME speakers...
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US education provider in for BPP law school
BPP Holdings, which owns BPP Law School, announced today that it has received a buyout-approach from US education provider Apollo Global. BPP told the stock exchange that it has received a preliminary approach to purchase the company at 620p per share in cash, a 70% premium ...
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Green paper proposes role for local community in selecting judges
Aspiring district judges could have to win the endorsement of local community figures to secure appointment, under new proposals unveiled by the government today (29 April). The Ministry of Justice wants communities to work with the Judicial Appointments Commission in the ‘selection and deployment’ of district ...
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Pastoral care: support is out there in tough economic times
The impact of the recession on the legal market is unprecedented, but there is plenty of support available for those affected. On Monday, Jasmine Walker (not her real name) was talking to the partners in her conveyancing practice about ways to bring in new business. On ...
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Time out for Mansfield
After 42 years righting wrongs on behalf of clients such as the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four, barrister Michael Mansfield says he is taking a break from court work. Don’t expect him to disappear from the headlines. The head of chambers at criminal and ...
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Regulator probes 10 firms over misleading debt claims
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is investigating 10 firms for accepting business from claims management companies that have misled consumers about the prospects of getting debts written off. The regulator renewed an earlier warning about doing business with such introducers, following what it described as a ‘rash ...
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Sweet charity
There’s a buzz in the air at bee’s knees hive of activity Hampshire law firm Coffin Mew. Obiter won’t try your patience any further with puns around Apis mellifera. Suffice it to say the firm has just signed up for another three years’ sponsorship of national charity Honeypot. It’s a ...
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Magnificent seven
After reading Richard Biggs’ claim to be the fastest lawyer in the land (see [2009] Gazette, 17 April, 31), David Jeffery, an associate at Guernsey firm Collas Day, got in touch to claim the title. Jeffery tells us that he accepted instructions from a client on 5 February, following a ...
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Passing fancy
There is more to rugby, Obiter has learned, than Neanderthal foreheads, cauliflower ears and a taste for communal bathing. The game for hooligans played by gentlemen also has a charitable side. Three rugby-playing solicitors are to help raise £100,000 for leukaemia research in memory of lifelong friend and all-round sportsman, ...