Last 3 months headlines – Page 1687
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Council reforms not workable
While it may be perceived to be a little anomalous for Law Society Council members to extend the nature of the debate from the Council chamber to the columns of the Gazette, a rejoinder to the letter of Tim O’Sullivan might be of interest to the profession (see [2008], Gazette, ...
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Back to the future
I would like to press the Law Society to consider a return to the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (see ‘Insurance rethink’ [2008] Gazette, 27 November, 3). That may have been a little more expensive than competitive tendering in the open market, but at least we all knew where we stood - ...
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A stain on our reputation
I note that the authors of the Solicitor’s Handbook 2008 say that the solution to compliance in respect of referral arrangements is to send out compliance packs (see [2008] Gazette, 20 November, 9). Wrong. But the solution to non-compliance can, as they contend, be described ...
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Let's behave as professionals
The suggestions of the two QCs in the Gazette are excellent, subject to one point . The ideal solution would be to reinstate the ban on referral fees, which are regarded by many within and outside the profession as reprehensible - let us behave as professional people and comply with ...
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Sharia inaccuracy
The news item headed ‘Sharia "could have averted crisis"’ is inaccurate because it suggests 85% of all transactions approved by financial institutions’ own sharia boards are not compliant with the standards of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions in Bahrain (AAOIFI) (see [2008] Gazette, 27 November, 6). ...
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Tribunal judges must be impartial
Your 4 December issue contained an advertisement for chairmen of Employment Tribunals (see [2008] Gazette, 4 December, 22). The advertisement reads: ‘Can you help put right the wrongs? We all know somebody who has been unfairly treated at work, but we often feel helpless to do anything about it. If ...
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Banks urged to increase cashflow
Law firms of all sizes are asking banks to provide them with secure pipelines of cash as the economy continues to deteriorate. In the coming weeks, Law Society President Paul Marsh and chief executive Des Hudson are to meet top executives at retail banks as well as the chief executive ...
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'Name and shame' threat for top firms
Some of the biggest names on the international law scene are likely to figure in an investigation aimed at naming and shaming firms doing business in Burma, the Gazette can reveal. Pressure group Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) said this week that it is already ‘actively investigating’ ...
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In-house counsel set to take work back from firms
In-house counsel are seriously looking at how they can take work back from external law firms and either do it themselves or send it abroad, according to a Gazette poll. In a survey of senior in-house counsel intentions to offshore legal work, respondents said overwhelmingly that, ...
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Bar chief in plea for unity
The incoming chairman of the Bar Council has made a plea for unity between the two branches of the profession as they face a continued squeeze over legal aid fees. In an interview with the Gazette, Desmond Browne QC said: ‘There must not be internecine ...
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PII insurers face standards scrutiny
Insurers and brokers offering professional indemnity insurance (PII) could be given a set of service standards following complaints over this year’s renewals. Because some brokers provided ‘bad customer service’ to solicitors, the Law Society’s PII crisis group will discuss ‘appropriate service levels’ with insurers and brokers ...
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APIL slams Straw for attack on lawyers
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has criticised comments about ‘ambulance-chasing’ lawyers, reportedly made by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Denise Kitchener, APIL chief executive, accused Straw of taking ‘easy potshots’ at personal injury lawyers in an interview published in the Daily Mail. ...
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Bias ruling paves way for more claims by carers
A law firm has become the first employer to face a claim for ‘discrimination by association’ after a tribunal ruled a former employee could bring a claim on the grounds of her child’s disability. Sharon Coleman alleges disability discrimination against her former employer, London law firm ...
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Council lawyers 'in well-being denial'
Council lawyers have been told to change the way they work and become more entrepreneurial after research found many are not using a far-reaching legal power at their disposal. A four-year investigation carried out by the University of Birmingham, the Cities Research Centre and the University ...
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£75k payout in email claim
A Midlands law firm has paid a £75,000 out-of-court settlement to a Muslim former employee who claimed she had suffered harassment and religious discrimination from a partner and board member. Shakespeare Putsman has apologised to Saleca Faisal-Parkar for two emails describing the paralegal as a ‘tent ...
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ACAS: conciliation returns to the toolbox
Timing is often crucial. Do you wish that you had exchanged your Icelandic individual savings account for premium bonds (now the geriatric pin-up of the savings world) earlier this year? You would be far from alone. The ability to dance on the beat can often make or break you.
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Family law
Ancillary relief – Error of fact – Lump sum payments – Periodical payments – Transfer of assets – Acquisition of capital after marriage Paul Fallon v Ruth Fallon: CA (Civ Div) (Lords Justice Thorpe, Lawrence Collins, Goldring): 20 ...
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Criminal procedure
VAT – Benefit from criminal fraud – Carousel fraud R v (1) Bhovinder Singh Sangha (2) Brian Meehan (3) Gerard Martin McAllister: CA (Crim Div) (Lords Justice Richards, Mr Justice Stadlen, Judge Gordon): 18 November 2008. ...
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The Middle East: a legal goldrush or an ‘over-lawyered’ region?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is fast becoming the jurisdiction with the most English solicitors outside the UK. The adage ‘go east, young man’ has heralded a talent goldrush as firms in the Middle East report a torrent of job applications from solicitors hoping to join the 500-plus England and ...