Latest news – Page 699
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News
Legal aid delay
Not only are we threatened with massive legal aid cuts, but the Legal Services Commission seems to be becoming slower at processing work. On 8 June, I exercised devolved powers to grant emergency legal aid to a client in connection with an appeal against a ...
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All together now
The proposed decimation of legal aid is scandalous for a number of obvious reasons. I suggest that the legal profession indicates its outrage by refusing to act for the government or any MP voting in favour of the changes. Instead, ...
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Cafcass problem
Your report of Anthony Douglas’ comments on A County Council v K and others [2011] EWHC 1672 underlines the view held by many children panel solicitors that he is too fond of putting a gloss on any criticism of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass). ...
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No time-wasters
In common with many, I suspect, I enjoy reading the regular columns written by chief legal ombudsman Adam Sampson and his team. I am sure, like me, his readers recognise the familiar incidents described and agree that we can all improve our services. ...
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LSB launches investigation to consider regulation of will-writing and probate
The Legal Services Board is to launch a formal investigation that will consider regulation of will-writing, following a recommendation from its consumer watchdog. The regulatory overseer stressed, however, that ‘a monopoly for solicitors is not the answer’. In its second major piece ...
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MoJ in line of fire over interpreters contract
The Ministry of Justice could face a legal challenge to its new cost-cutting arrangements for the provision of interpretation and translation services across the justice sector.
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LSC warned ministers on legal aid cuts
The Legal Services Commission warned ministers before publication of the legal aid reform bill that proposed fee cuts could result in ‘market failure’. In a letter sent to the lord chancellor in February, LSC chair Sir Bill Callaghan (pictured) advised the government that the ‘scale and ...
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New Law Society president sets out his stall
Improving the Law Society’s relationship with the in-house sector and ensuring the success of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme will be two key areas of focus for the Society’s new president in the year ahead, he told the Gazette this week. John Wotton (pictured), who takes over ...
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Family courts expect more litigants in person
Family courts will need to be better prepared to deal with litigants in person following the government’s legal aid reforms, MPs warned in a report published today. The report, from the Justice Committee, on the interim recommendations of the Family Justice Review, said an increase in ...
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Firms urged to donate unused client funds
Law firms are being urged by two of the country’s top legal figures to donate funds being held for untraceable clients or beneficiaries to support advice centres. More than 7,000 law firms will receive letters in the coming days signed by attorney general Dominic Grieve and ...
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Society given only 15 minutes for legal aid evidence
The Law Society, Bar Council and other representative groups were granted only 15 minutes each to give evidence to the cross-party committee scrutinising the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill this week, fuelling concerns that the government is seeking to rush through the changes. ...
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‘City firms don’t need capital’ - CLLS chair
The new chair of the City of London Law Society wants to see more lawyers in positions of power and influence, he said this week. Alasdair Douglas, speaking in his first major interview since taking over the role last month, told the Gazette he is determined ...
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Magic circle firms post solid results
Three magic circle firms have posted steady but unremarkable financial results as testing market conditions continue to prevail. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Allen & Overy all released figures for the 2010/11 financial year. At Freshfields, revenue fell marginally on the previous year, with profits per equity partner down by ...
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Clean bill of health
It seems to me that the judgment in Key v Key [2010] EWHC 408 Ch is open to criticism, because the judge did not apparently consider it in any way significant, or even relevant, that the testator’s experienced solicitor (whatever else his shortcomings) believed that the testator had capacity. ...
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Question of truth
I have not read the full survey by the Legal Services Consumer Panel (see [2011] Gazette, 23 June, 3), nor do I know what the actual question was. We do know the answer – the public believe that only 47% of lawyers are trusted to ...
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Paying the penalty
I read the article ‘Lenders vet solicitors on Google and note that lenders are monitoring the time solicitors take to register charges. The delaying factor in almost all cases is the time lenders take to discharge existing charges after receipt of funds from the seller’s ...
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Libraries matter
Martin Barber-Redmore makes some valid points about the possibilities of outsourcing and electronic resources, but misses some fundamental points in his paragraph on traditional legal libraries. Libraries still have a role within law firms, regardless of where they locate themselves or how the office is arranged. ...
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Cold calling
Over recent months, we have received information from clients that they have been contacted by companies via their mobile phone, indicating that they are currently pursuing a claim. The company is offering to settle their claim, typically for £3,750. These existing ...
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Security concerns
I have been appearing in our local magistrates’ court for over 32 years. I have recently had problems with a rather officious security officer. The other day I went to speak to the prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution room. ...
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Act on referral fees
In recent times three core institutions of society have been rocked by crises. In 2007, the banking system came to the brink of collapse. In 2009, parliament was shaken to its foundations when countless members were shown to have falsified expenses. ...