Latest news – Page 666
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News
Inventing problems
Robin Tilbrook’s comments have left everybody in my office thoroughly perplexed. Is he unaware that those accused of a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty? Will he, on behalf of the English Democrats, stand up and call for the repeal of this longstanding approach to criminal law? If he ...
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Earn the title
If Mr Pearlman wishes to be called ‘doctor’, I suggest he studies for a PhD or LLD - quite different animals from the solicitor’s vocational qualification. Dr Julian Critchlow, Fenwick Elliott, London WC2
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Solicitors wary of new compliance roles
Solicitors fear the potential risks involved in taking on new roles as compliance officers within their firms, a legal consultancy has warned. The 360 Legal Group says it found ‘serious concerns’ over regulatory changes requiring individuals to monitor their firm’s behaviour and report any wrongdoing - ...
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Lawyers divided on EU data rules
Proposed new data protection rules designed to cut red tape and save EU companies €2.3bn a year in administrative costs have met with a mixed reaction from UK lawyers. Under a directive due to be published this week some businesses would be liable to fines of ...
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LSC wins right to recover overpayments
The Legal Services Commission has won a test case against solicitors to recover overpayments. The High Court decision is likely to open the way to the commission recouping millions of pounds in payments made on account which were never properly accounted for. The solicitors concerned ...
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LSC offers final chance for family contracts
The Legal Services Commission has fended off the threat of litigation from firms that failed to get family and housing contracts, by announcing a licence-only tender to give firms a final chance to secure a contract. The Law Society welcomed the LSC’s ‘pragmatic and sensible’ decision, ...
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Abbey marriage
Fans of the award-winning television drama Downton Abbey will remember the moving scene when footman William, mortally injured in the first world war trenches, married scullery maid Daisy with his dying breath. The producers consulted the Law Society’s library on the rules around special licences ...
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Ban on PI adverts in hospitals 'unworkable'
Banning leaflets advertising personal injury lawyers and claims management companies from NHS hospitals is unworkable and counter-productive, the government has been warned. Health minister Simon Burns last week told English NHS hospitals it was ‘not acceptable’ to display adverts for law firms. He said patients should ...
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Call for inquiry over church child abuse 'cover-up'
Child protection lawyers have called for a public inquiry into an alleged cover-up by churches of widespread sexual and physical abuse of children in England and Wales. In a letter to The Times last week, they claimed that the implementation of new ‘safeguarding’ policies has been ...
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Leading firms ponder ABS options
At least 10 of the top 100 UK law firms are considering applying to become alternative business structures, the Gazette can reveal. International firm Kennedys and Midlands firm Browne Jacobson are among those to confirm this week that discussions are ongoing about a possible application - ...
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Business specialist launches franchise scheme
A south-east law firm which has won awards for its innovative approach to business advice has used its name to launch a new franchise. Acumen Business Law, based in Hove, East Sussex, will license firms to use the name Acumen Business Law Enterprise. Acumen’s managing ...
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Warning over BSB's 'cab rank' plans
The Legal Services Board has formally warned the Bar Standards Board over proposed changes to the bar’s ‘cab rank’ rule. It says in a letter that the LSB is ‘considering whether to refuse’ a rule change application submitted by the BSB in October 2011. The new ...
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News focus: lenders in the line of fire
A row over the effect of lenders’ conveyancing panel policies on consumer choice escalated this week, with HSBC denying a claim that it is forcing customers to use firms on its new panel. The bank, which has 10% of the UK mortgage market, prompted outrage earlier this month by announcing ...
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Opponents win custody advice concession in ‘un-costed and unjust’ LASPO
The government has abandoned its controversial plan to pave the way for the means-testing of legal advice for suspects detained in police stations. The Law Society welcomed the government’s decision, announced in the latest Lords debate on the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders ...
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Cost assessment scheme to go national
Lord Justice Jackson has stated that the costs provisional assessment scheme is ready to go national after a year-long pilot. District judges in three county courts were required to assess on paper any bill of costs in which the base costs claimed were £25,000 or less. ...
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Law Society president: split in profession to end
The president of the Law Society expects the 180-year-old division between solicitors and barristers to wither away as a result of the reforms set in motion by the Legal Services Act. It is ‘inevitable’ the professions will ‘need to revisit the question whether [they] should continue ...
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UK ‘blocking’ EU human rights accession
The UK is blocking moves to close a ‘gaping hole’ in European human rights protection, it has been claimed on the day that prime minister David Cameron is to address the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. A joint statement issued by the Council of ...
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Quoted company buys PI firm in ABS first
A personal injury firm is to be bought by a listed company in a £19.3m deal to create an alternative business structure (ABS). Liverpool-based Silverbeck Rymer will be acquired by AIM-listed Quindell Portfolio for an initial £10.25m in cash, and the issue of up to 120.8m ...
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Twitter ban in Redknapp trial
The judge in the trial of Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has banned the use of Twitter from inside the courtroom. Judge Leonard ordered the ban for both the press and members of the public attending the trial of Redknapp (pictured) and former Portsmouth chairman Milan ...
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Firm leaves Conveyancing Quality Scheme
A Manchester firm has withdrawn from the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) after going into the insurance assigned risks pool (ARP). GLP Crumpsall is the first firm to leave the accreditation scheme, which opened in January 2011. It withdrew voluntarily after informing the ...