All articles by John Hyde – Page 354
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News
US giant sets up English law practice
Major US firm Davis Polk & Wardwell is to set up an English law practice in a bid to break new markets from London. The move marks a new stage in the rivalry between New York and London jurisdictions. The firm, which opened in London ...
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Marvo Dave and the albatross trick
David Cameron truly is a magician. Not in the Paul Daniels sense, of course, although I’m sure SamCam would make an equally lovely Debbie McGhee. His main trick is the power of persuasion. He has convinced the working man and woman to sneer at the words health and safety in ...
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Profits flat at Allen & Overy
Relocating staff to a single central London site cost magic circle firm Allen & Overy almost £25m, it has emerged. The full cost of the move was revealed in its LLP annual report and financial statements for 2010/11. The one-off outlays meant that continuing costs rose ...
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Retention rate for trainees up
The number of trainees staying with their firms after qualifying recovered in 2011 after a two-year dip, according to a survey of more than 120 commercial firms. The Chambers Student Guide found that 1,813 of the 2,251 trainees who qualified in 2011 stayed on. That retention ...
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Everyman Legal launches franchise scheme
Solicitors are to be offered the chance to set up their own practices under a franchise scheme launched today by commercial firm Everyman Legal. The firm, which in October became the first practice to target a stock exchange listing, will support members through its marketing and back-office systems.
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Leveson plea on ‘either way’ offences
The chairman of the Sentencing Council has called on magistrates to send fewer ‘either way’ offences to the Crown court. The number of such cases reaching the Crown court rose from 310,000 in 2007 to 353,000 in 2010. Lord Justice Leveson told the House of Commons ...
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Cameron extends PI fees cap in attack on ‘albatross’ safety culture
David Cameron today announced plans to cap lawyers’ fees from personal injury claims at £25,000. Speaking to an audience of small companies, the prime minister launched an attack on the so-called compensation culture and blamed it for holding back the growth of UK businesses.
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SRA ‘ready and waiting’ for ABSs
Applications by firms to become alternative business structures (ABSs) could take up to nine months to process, the Solicitors Regulation Authority revealed this week. The SRA, which on Tuesday became a licensing authority after two years of preparation, said it is ‘ready and waiting’ to accept forms from new entrants ...
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Tesco law is no big bang, but change is still on the horizon
I’ve never quite understood the obsession with celebrating new year’s eve. There’s an enormous build-up, endless boring chat about the future and a few party poppers. Then it’s over, with just dark wintry evenings and uncertainty to look forward to.
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Consultation opens on separate jurisdiction for Wales
Welsh Assembly members have begun consulting on the establishment of a separate legal jurisdiction for the principality. The assembly’s constitutional and legislative affairs committee will spend the next two months assessing how a separation from England would work in practice. The issue ...
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‘Titanic battle’ predicted as ABS processing begins
The Solicitors Regulation Authority today began processing applications for companies looking to become an alternative business structure (ABS). The SRA officially became a licensed regulator for ABSs before Christmas and set the first working day after the new year to start accepting applications. Depending on the ...
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PI firm attacks Jackson reforms in £1m campaign
A personal injury firm has launched a £1m advertising campaign to attack government reforms of the no-win no-fee system. Birmingham firm Claim Today Solicitors (CTS) will spread its marketing drive across newspapers, television and the web for at least three months. The campaign is timed to ...
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LSC recruits new chief executive
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has recruited its new chief executive from the UK Border Agency. Matthew Coats, currently interim head of border force, will take up his new position on 27 February. The role will then change to chief executive of the Legal Aid Agency, ...
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Solicitors Regulation Authority set for summer move
Staff will move into the new headquarters of the Solicitors Regulation Authority from this summer, it has been confirmed. The Cube development in Birmingham will also be the base for Midlands Law Society employees who provide support services. Chancery Lane in London will continue to be ...
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Herbert Smith cuts alliance with European firms
City firm Herbert Smith has confirmed it will terminate its alliance with European firms Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe by the end of the year. The alliance with Germany’s Gleiss and Benelux firm Stibbe was expected to be wound down gradually after merger talks broke down earlier this year. ...
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Asylum law advice service preserved by Comic Relief grant
A specialised support programme for female asylum seekers will be resurrected after a £120,000 Comic Relief grant. Rochdale Law Centre was forced to close the project in March after a previous three-year grant came to an end. The service had offered legal advice to more than ...
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Keoghs open to ABS options
Insurance law firm Keoghs has confirmed it is keen to speak with potential investors as an option to grow its business. The Bolton-based firm is considering whether to explore any further offers from private equity sources to take advantage of the opening of the legal market. ...
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McNally tells Lords legal aid bill is in 'pristine' condition
Justice minister Lord McNally has warned campaigners they should not expect to see significant changes to proposed legal aid cuts. McNally, who is also leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, faced opposition to his government’s legislation from members on all sides ...
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SRA warning to legal aid lawyers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has urged firms to take care with vulnerable clients and uphold standards even if legal aid cuts are in force.
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Getting the message on Twitter
Poison-pen columnists looking for a cheap shot can always rely on the ‘judges out of touch’ jibe. So it came as something of a welcome surprise to some to see the lord chief justice dealing firmly with the issue of Twitter in court last week. Not ...