Last 3 months headlines – Page 1541
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New rules address ‘appalling’ child care delays
New rules for appointing guardians in care proceedings were introduced in London this week, in a bid to reduce ‘appalling’ delays which family solicitors have warned are ‘worse than ever’. Christina Blacklaws, chairwoman of the Law Society’s family law committee, said solicitors were ‘hopeful’ that ...
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Recession cuts are boosting profits – but at what cost?
As provisional financial results continue to roll in from big commercial law firms, a pattern is beginning to emerge: partners in these firms are, in the main, reaping healthy profits.
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Lawyers pay tribute to ‘old school’ solicitor killed in Cumbria massacre
Members of the profession have paid tribute to Kevin Commons, the Cumbrian solicitor killed by a local man who shot 12 people dead in a killing spree before shooting himself last week. Kevin Joseph Commons, 60, is thought to have been the second victim of gunman ...
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Experimental chambers BarFutures set to close
Experimental virtual chambers BarFutures is to close its doors at the end of June after two years because of a ‘lack of appetite for change within the profession’, the Gazette has learned. The alternative set was designed to meet the challenges posed by the Legal Services ...
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Gary McKinnon case is acid test of coalition government’s integrity
by Azmina Gulamhuseinis a solicitor and editor of the Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents Gary McKinnon, a vulnerable 44-year old with Asperger syndrome, stands accused by the US of the ‘biggest military computer hack of all time’.
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A victory for lawyers
The bells are ringing, the trumpets are sounding, the medals are being awarded: a great victory has been achieved. This week, the European Commission finally agreed to establish the equivalent of a European justice ministry, a DG (Directorate General) Justice.
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OFT approves 'toothless' will-writing code
A new code of practice for non-lawyer will-writers which has been approved by the Office of Fair Trading is ‘without teeth’, probate solicitors have warned. The OFT approved a new code of practice drawn up by the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) last week. ...
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An eminent jurist is under attack over Israel
Israel has faced international condemnation this week over the alleged killing of 10 or more peace activists who were trying to deliver aid to Gaza by way of a flotilla of ships.
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Solicitors support advocacy quality assurance scheme
The Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates (SAHCA) has given its support to the Legal Services Commission’s proposals for a quality assurance scheme for advocates (QAA), but warned it must be ‘demonstrably even-handed, objective and proportionate’. Following consultation with its 1,300 members, SAHCA responded to the ...
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Solicitor settles action against solicitorsfromhell
A north-east solicitor yesterday settled his libel claim against the owner of a website that blacklists solicitors and law firms. Scott Eason, principal at Eason Law, had instructed libel lawyers Carter-Ruck to bring a claim for damages of between £50,000 and £100,000 and obtain a High ...
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Second blow for supporters of referral fee ban
Any prospect of a new ban on referral fees has been dealt a second major blow in the space of a few weeks, as a new report for the Legal Services Board recommended that the fees should be retained last week. The Legal Services Consumer ...
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Shoe me the money
What’s going on here, you may ask? Has Hartley & Worstenholme just had a new carpet fitted and asked all clients and employees to leave their shoes at the door? Not quite. These eager ladies at the West Yorkshire law firm and estate agency are getting ready to put on ...
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Man of the moth
They nibble at your best winter coat, and make an annoying noise when they pop themselves dead on lightbulbs. But it turns out that moths can be good for something – at least civil litigation solicitor Bob Heckford, who recently retired from Plymouth law firm Bond Pearce, seems to think ...
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Striking the right chord
As wise old Obiter always suspected, Manchester solicitor Andy Booth, who plays in ‘European electro goth’ band the Cassandra Complex, is not the only rock-tastic lawyer out there, and we have photographic evidence to prove it (right). Paul ‘The Rock’ Rosser, personal injury partner at Leo Abse & Cohen in ...
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Fancy footwork
With just over a week until the World Cup kicks off, it seems football fever is already taking a vice-like hold over the legal profession. Fancying themselves as solicitor-versions of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard et al (in football terms only, we stress), lawyers at Manchester firm Ralli have made ...
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Intellectual property
Brand names - Comparative advertising - Infringement - Perfumes (1) L’Oréal SA (2) Lancôme Parfums et Beauté and CIE (3) Laboratoire Garnier and CIE v (1) Bellure NV (2) Malaika Investments Ltd (T/A Honeypot Cosmetic and Perfumery Sales) (3) ...
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Listen and learn
I enjoyed reading Gordon Turner’s reflections on his experience of acting as a juror (see [2010] Gazette, 27 May, 10).
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Spiralling costs
As a residential property specialist, I have become increasingly concerned at the charges made by management companies and freeholders when buying or selling leasehold properties.
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Employment
Civil procedure – Ballots – Compliance – Industrial action British Airways Plc v Unite the Union: CA (Civ Div) (Lord Chief Justice, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Lady Justice Smith): 20 May 2010 ...