Last 3 months headlines – Page 1707
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Cry freedom
High Court win against the House of Commons Commission was a landmark victory for freedom of information campaigners Freedom of information (FoI) brings clarity to the rule of law, obliging governments to reveal how they operate and make decisions. Operations and decision-making become less arbitrary and ...
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Preaching diversity
As I read the letter headed ‘Cheap Labour’ (see [2008] Gazette, 29 May, 11), it struck me that it could have been written by any number of my women solicitor colleagues, many of whom suffer the double discrimination of being female and black or Asian.
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Hours of need
Both Nicola Prior and Andrew Holroyd missed an important point when discussing inequality in the workplace in last week’s Gazette (see [2008] Gazette, 5 June, 11, 15). There is a lot of talk about ‘solicitors of similar PQE’, but firms are surely entitled to reward ...
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Steep learning curve
It was with great interest that I read the article by Andrew Hopper QC and Gregory Treverton-Jones QC, authors of The Solicitor’s Handbook (see [2008] Gazette, 29 May, 14). I am a member of the Solicitors Assistance Scheme. I represent solicitors who are subject to an ...
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Which? way forward
I refer to the article ‘Which? to ramp up legal services arm’ (see [2008] Gazette, 29 May, 1), which reported comments made at a debate about the Legal Services Act 2007, and the response published on this letters page (‘Which? way next?’, 5 June, 12).
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We want the logo
I was very interested to read the letter ‘No logo’ from Dermot Burke in last week’s Gazette (see [2008] Gazette, 5 June, 11). I agree that it is time for there to be a solicitors logo.
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Massive attack
I am writing to comment on an address given by Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC to a meeting organised by my criminal defence firm, Hine & Associates. Mr Grieve indicated that should the Conservatives return to power, they would not proceed with the proposed competitive ...
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First and last word
The UK’s new supreme court could answer the vexed question of how judges might legitimately help the government confront terrorism Finding ways of confronting terrorism should be a job for everybody but the judges, suggests Bill Jackson of Nottingham in a letter published in the ...
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History man
In a pioneering career which has spanned private practice and the high court bench, Lord Justice Lawrence Collins has proved that solicitors can take on any role in the judicial system. Lord Justice Lawrence Collins still cannot quite believe that, as a former solicitor, he ...
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Magistrates guidelines
The Sentencing Guidelines Council has announced that the new edition of the Magistrates Court Guidelines will take effect on 4 August 2008. In the intervening period there is a substantial training exercise to be undertaken to explain to magistrates and their legal advisers the changes which ...
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New framework for plea negotiation in fraud cases
The management of long and complex fraud cases has, for some years, been a concern in our legal system. The Lord Chief Justice’s protocol already requires the prosecution and defence to resolve issues and agree evidence where possible prior to the trial. Formal Criminal Procedure Rules encourage this and build ...
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Freedom of information
Expenses – members of parliament – parliamentary privilege – additional costs allowance Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v (1) Information Commissioner (2) Heather Brooke (3) ...
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Employment
Race discrimination – burden of proof – reasons – unfair dismissal – reasons for dismissals Khan & anor v Home Office: CA (Civ Div) (Lords Justice May, ...
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The drawbacks of drawdown
David Anderson and Graeme Perry look into personal pensions and tax charges on death during drawdown Many people with personal pension schemes who are about to retire will often be advised by their independent ...
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Scottish firm promotes four to partnership
PRIVATE PRACTICE Partners Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens promotes four to partnership - two in the London ...
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Criminal evidence
Anonymity - Intimidation of witnesses - Right to fair trial - Special measures R v Davis: HL (Lords Bingham of Cornhill, Rodger of Earlsferry, Carswell, Brown of Eaton-under-Heywood, Mance): 18 June 2008 The appellant (D) appealed against the Court of Appeal’s ...
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Human rights
Family law – Adoption – Discrimination – Eligibility - Unmarried couples In Re P & Ors: HL (NI) (Lords Hoffmann, Hope of Craighead, Walker of Gestingthorpe, Mance, Baroness Hale of Richmond): 18 June 2008 The appellants (P and F), an unmarried ...
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Real property
Crown estate - Crown foreshore - Feudal tenure – Franchises - Incorporeal hereditaments - Manorial rights Crown Estate Commissioners v (1) Mark Andrew Tudor Roberts (2) Trelleck Estate Ltd: ChD (Mr Justice Lewison): 13 June 2008 The claimant Crown Estate Commission ...