Last 3 months headlines – Page 1605
-
News
Internet users spend an average of two minutes on law firm websites
Internet users spend an average of just two minutes on law firm websites, with visits to ‘fuddy-duddy’ sites often lasting a mere 40 seconds, new research has revealed. Website marketing company Conscious Solutions analysed data from 83 law firms, ranging in size from more than 20 ...
-
News
Firms seek emergency loans to pay for high indemnity premiums
Cash-strapped law firms are seeking emergency loans to pay for hiked professional indemnity insurance (PII) premiums, amid claims that many insurers are tightening their payment terms. Independent finance providers Syscap and Key Business Professions (KBP) have reported a recent surge in the number of firms asking ...
-
News
Bar regulator rapped by Legal Services Board over ABSs
The bar’s regulator has been accused of engaging in a ‘sterile debate’ over alternative business structures by oversight body the Legal Services Board. The LSB’s broadside came following the BSB’s decision to commission research by economic analysts on the potential effects on the market and consumers ...
-
News
Nationwide probate deal
The Law Society has published a joint protocol with the Nationwide Building Society to assist in the winding up of estates. The protocol is the first such agreement to be reached with a building society, although similar arrangements are already in place with banks HSBC and ...
-
News
Separating couples may be forced into mediation under MoJ plan
Divorcing and separating couples could be compelled to consider mediation before going to court under plans being examined by the Ministry of Justice. At present, only parties who are funded by legal aid are obliged to consider mediating. Justice minister Bridget ...
-
News
Solicitors offer air miles for legal work in new loyalty card scheme
An alliance of solicitor firms is to offer clients a ‘loyalty card’ rewards system in an innovative bid to square up to the threat from big brands entering the legal services market, the Gazette can exclusively reveal. QualitySolicitors.com will launch a loyalty card this month which ...
-
News
Freedom of information data show fall in cost of police station work
The government was accused of ‘reckless’ and ‘savage’ cuts to criminal legal aid this week, as information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) seen exclusively by the Gazette cast doubt on the need for the reductions. The Ministry of Justice said the cuts ...
-
News
Law Society claims Co-op panel cuts may be indirect discrimination
The Law Society has alleged indirect discrimination in the newly merged Britannia Building Society and Co-operative Financial Services’ (CFS) decision to axe the 3,600 sole practitioners from Britannia’s conveyancing panel. The Society said the move would have a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority lawyers, and criticised CFS for failing to ...
-
News
General counsel put their heads together
Long gone are the days when going in-house was likened to putting on a nice comfortable pair of slippers. These days, general counsel enjoy a high status as the demanding keepers of their company’s legal purse strings. They want more for their money, and they ...
-
News
Guide launched to help solicitors buy indemnity cover
The main representative bodies from the legal and insurance worlds today launched a guide to help solicitors buy professional indemnity insurance (PII) cover. The guide, put together by the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA), the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Law Society, offers guidance ...
-
News
Comparing solicitors online by price will affect quality
Accountants, who are often ahead of solicitors, now have the ‘benefit’ of a ‘new and revolutionary’ website that compares their charges. It is claimed that by checking prices of accountancy services, the client consumer will be able to pick the cheapest. This, of course, may rely on the number ...
-
News
Cafcass and the family justice system are failing vulnerable children
By Christina Blacklaws, a founding partner of Blacklaws Davis, is the child care representative on the Law Society CouncilIt is a very bad time to be a vulnerable child at risk of abuse and neglect. Not only are social work vacancies running at record levels – 12% nationally and almost ...
-
News
Green words need to be translated into practical regulatory requirements
by Vanessa Havard-Williamsis chair of the Legal Sector Alliance policy committee. Ahead of the G20 meeting this week in Pittsburgh, the Legal Sector Alliance has released a communique addressed to the leaders of the G20, calling for practical regulatory requirements – not hot air.
-
News
Advice scheme launched for vulnerable young people
The Children’s Society has launched an innovative pilot internet and telephone service offering legal advice to young people in Lambeth and Camden in London, and in Colchester, Essex. While available to all, Lawyers for Young People is principally aimed at ensuring the most vulnerable get access ...
-
News
Finding a lawyer in Lapland or Lampedusa
The business of finding a lawyer in another EU country, and hopefully a competent one with experience in the field you want, has recently come to the top of the agenda.
-
News
Intellectual property: How L’Oreal won the battle of the scents
In a major victory for the owners of well-known brands, the European Court of Justice may have crushed the market in ‘imitation’ products – and caused problems for any brand that might be similar to a well-known brand.
-
News
Might the end of the long-serving six-minute unit be in sight?
For at least the past 30 years, chargeable time has been recorded in units of six minutes. Various justifications are made out for the six-minute unit but, whatever the reasons, it’s just been a convenient measure because hourly rates can be divided by 10 to calculate the value of a ...
-
News
Human rights: clarifying the law on assisted suicide
R (on the application of Purdy) v the Director of Public Prosecutions [2009] UKHL 44. There are several remarkable features about the case of Debbie Purdy. For one, the case started with judicial review proceedings in April 2008, concluding with the House of Lords judgment ...
-
News
Real property
Civil procedure – Breach of undertaking – Conveyancing – Land charges (1) Adrian Paul Clark (2) Heather Jane Clark v Lucas Solicitors LLP: Ch D (Sarah Asplin QC): 31 July 2009 ...
-
News
Company law
Damages – Amendments – Loss of chance – Reflective loss Charles Frederick Webster v Sandersons Solicitors (a firm): CA (Civ Div) (Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony, Master of the Rolls, Lady Justice Arden, Lord Justice Lloyd): 31 July 2009 ...