Latest news – Page 737
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News
Call to sue councils that are 'failing the vulnerable'
The case of a mentally ill man who attempted suicide after being discharged from hospital to a park bench has prompted mental health solicitors to call on lawyers to sue local authorities that fail to provide adequate healthcare for some of society’s most vulnerable members.
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Conveyancing firms alerted over CQS 'risk consultants'
The Law Society has warned conveyancing firms seeking to join its Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) not to incur unnecessary costs by hiring unauthorised risk and compliance consultants to help with their applications. The CQS has received 633 applications from firms since the scheme’s launch in January ...
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Law Society of Scotland members stage mass revolt
More than 160 members of the Law Society of Scotland have called for the body to be abolished in its present form, citing their ‘complete lack of confidence’ in its ability to represent the interests of the profession north of the border.
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Nexus Professional Network launches
A new service that matches lawyers who have qualified with large firms with companies seeking temporary legal work for specific contracts or projects launched this week. Nexus Professional Network, which has been set up by a group of current and former partners at large accountancy ...
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Government unveils new immigration rules
The government unveiled new immigration rules today that will give wealthy entrepreneurs a ‘fast-track’ route to settling in the UK. It also published a policy statement outlining how the new 'exceptional talent' route under Tier One of the points-based system will operate from April this year. ...
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Low marks for OPG review panel
It was with some optimism when, in September 2010, we learnt that the Office of the Public Guardian was reviewing its panel of deputies after 10 years. The aim, according to the OPG, was to revitalise the panel to ensure that it represented the many ...
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Don't worry about swear fees
I cannot agree with R M Napier . The reality is that swearing documents is now an anachronistic process that should be consigned to the dustbin of legal history. Few documents now need to be sworn and, where they do, it serves little purpose and is very inconvenient for ...
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Misleading picture
The President’s Podium gave a very misleading impression of the position regarding the question of free choice of lawyer under a legal expenses insurance policy. The right of free choice, when it arises, was introduced by the 1987 European Directive and has nothing to do ...
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Damages awarded in first UK Twitter libel action
A Welsh councillor has been ordered to pay damages in what is believed to be the first libel action resulting from comments posted on Twitter. The High Court in Cardiff last week ordered Caerphilly councillor Colin Elsbury to pay £3,000 in damages, after he used the ...
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Transport committee calls for referral arrangements to be published
Motor insurers should publish on their websites the names of law firms with which they have referral fee arrangements, and indicate the level of fees paid, a House of Commons inquiry has recommended. Policyholders should be sent this information with their insurance documents, and when claims ...
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Liberal Democrats call for legal aid impact assessments
Liberal Democrats have called for a properly funded legal aid system to be protected, as the government considers the responses to its controversial reform proposals. At their annual spring conference, the coalition partners backed plans to protect access to justice for the most vulnerable by ensuring ...
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Ruling ‘sets precedent for thousands of asbestos cases’
A person exposed to even tiny amounts of asbestos who then contracts mesothelioma can claim compensation from those who caused the exposure, the Supreme Court has ruled. In Sienkiewicz v Greif and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council v Willmore, all seven judges agreed that unless reasonable steps ...
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Government words are hard to stomach
I read with interest your excellent feature 'War of the words'. For some time, I have been criticising the manner in which government departments and regulators use language that is intended to mislead.
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‘Glass windows’ are not for everyone
I doff my cap to Tania Jeffery and Kellie-Jayne Cox, who have recently opened a new practice in Hampshire. It is particularly noble in these difficult days. I think, however, that the ‘glass window’ policy may be questionable, and a grumpy old gaffer like me would ...
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Strength in numbers?
Does it really take the nine senior judges of the Supreme Court to decide an issue of housing law, albeit an important one (Manchester City Council v Pinnock (No.2). In the same issue of the Gazette, Lord Phillips is reported as berating the government over the ...
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Who says mediation is a panacea?
I have got a lot of time for Christina Blacklaws and agree with much of what she has to say about the lack of joined-up thinking in government family law policy. However, I was disappointed with the article’s headline, ‘No panacea for family problems’.
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Tell the litigant if he is likely to win
Stephen Trahair is a tad unfair to Lord Justice Jackson and his attempt to deal with the costs issue. Two factors are in play: 1. Reconstructing events and arguing over them with indemnity-insured trained legal representation costs money;2. All any solicitor should want is to be ...
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Pay up or stay behind bars
I refer to your Opinion ‘The unanswered question of fines’ . Like everybody else, apart from those who prefer not to pay, I am appalled at the sum unpaid.
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LSC debt collection tactics criticised
Delays in granting legal aid by the Legal Services Commission and ‘aggressive’ enforcement by its debt collectors of legal aid contributions are causing anxiety for clients and have driven some to attempt suicide, the Gazette has learned.
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Gender gap closes but progress is slow
The ‘gender gap’ within the profession is closing, but disparities still exist in pay and partnership prospects, the latest Law Society figures have suggested. Speaking at an event to celebrate International Women’s Day this week, Law Society president Linda Lee revealed that the proportion of ...