All News articles – Page 1780
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News
Referral rule breaches widespread
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is to reconsider the controversial question of referral arrangements as new figures show that the number of firms not complying with rules governing referrals remains stubbornly high. The SRA also expressed fears that the current economic climate might encourage practitioners to cut further corners.
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Boris rapped over legal snub
The Mayor of London’s decision not to invite City lawyers on to his high-level economic crisis group has drawn criticism from the City of London Law Society. The new group, which is tasked with helping London through the downturn, will meet regularly to discuss the effects ...
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Beyond price
I’m delighted to report that the Law Society’s Excellence Awards were a tremendous success. Old Billingsgate, overlooking the Thames, made for a spectacular venue and Kirsty Wark from BBC2’s Newsnight was a great host. This year saw a record number of entries, and the awards are now widely considered to ...
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Bespoke suits
I was interested in Joshua Rozenberg's article on the doom-laden prognoses of Richard Susskind, who apparently believes that, in future, ‘bespoke’ legal services will be the exception (see [2008] Gazette, October 30, 10). With great respect, what utter tosh. The only examples of so-called ‘commoditised’ ...
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Number of the beast
National press interest in a ‘haunted’ solicitor’s office isn’t spooking Sarfraz Khan, marketing and managing consultant at Birmingham firm LAC. ‘We have no intention of moving or changing our address, because we’ve been very successful,’ he tells Obiter. ‘We haven’t lost a single case yet.’
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Society and bar clash over solicitor-advocates
The Law Society has hit back at criticism from the bar over the ‘appalling’ standards of some solicitor-advocates, who it is alleged are keeping work for themselves for economic reasons rather than instructing barristers. Law Society President Paul Marsh said the comments were ‘exactly what you ...
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Banking investments, loans and corporate takeovers
Energy boost: City firm Norton Rose advised the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission on signing a uranium exploration agreement with French nuclear power company Areva, and is advising on negotiations over a mining agreement. Magic circle firm Linklaters advised Areva, while Jordan firm Aljazy ...
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Art for art's sake
Many Gazette readers will identify with not quite being able to remember how old they are – at least until the maths is done. Institutions sometimes have the same problem. A few weeks back, the Law Society Art Group (LSAG) asked the Gazette for a small spot to ...
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Jack of all trades
Global capitalism is in turmoil, the dole queues are lengthening inexorably and you’ve more chance of finding Shergar than a buyer for your house. But no matter. Such trifles have been turfed off the front pages by an issue of far greater moment – what to do about messrs Ross ...
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It ain't broke
Law Society members thankfully rejected the plan for an affiliate category for non-solicitors. The Society is for solicitors. We do not want the brand diluted, and extra administration and costs introduced in permitting others even to be ‘associated’ with the Society. Instead, the aim should be for simplicity and cost ...
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Martyn Day: fierce advocate for the people
One could never criticise Martyn Day for lacking the willingness to have a go. ‘I’m absolutely determined to find the right case,’ says the senior partner of claimant firm Leigh Day & Co, when asked if he would be prepared to have another crack at suing tobacco companies on behalf ...
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Solicitor poised to sue broker as Society takes action
A two-partner firm is set to sue its broker after its professional indemnity insurance (PII) premium quadrupled, the Gazette has learned – while in a parallel development, the Law Society has created a PII crisis group and hinted it could launch its own action. Joe Golstein ...
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Welcome in the valleys
Firms will profit form the emergence of Wales as a distinct legal jurisdiction.
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In which we served
From where Obiter was sitting, the loudest applause at last week’s Law Society Excellence Awards went not to any of the winners, but to 84-year-old Donald Winton (pictured), highly commended as legal executive of the year. His 70-year career included four wartime years in the RAF.
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Sharp rise in stressed lawyers
Stressed solicitors have been phoning support groups in record numbers following the worst weeks of the financial crisis, the Gazette has learned. The three biggest groups – LawCare, the Solicitors Assistance Scheme (SAS) and Solicitors Benevolent Association (SBA) – all reported a huge spike in calls ...
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QC: judiciary 'scandal'
Leading discrimination and equality QC Karon Monaghan has labelled the make-up of the judiciary a ‘national scandal’. Speaking at the Royal Courts of Justice during the annual Inside Justice Week, Monaghan spoke of advances and improvements made in equality thanks to the Human Rights Act and wider legislation. But she ...
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Immigration
Disability living allowance – Immigration policy – Income support – Maintenance – Reliance on third-party support (1) AM (Ethiopia) (2) SA (Somalia) (3) MB (Pakistan) (4) MI (Somalia) & anr v Entry Clearance Officer: CA (Civ Div) (Lords Justice ...
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Lawyer guidance on money laundering
Special guidance to help lawyers avoid money launderers was agreed by international organisations last week. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the inter-governmental body charged with combating money laundering and terrorist financing, agreed to publish new guidance in conjunction with the International Bar Association (IBA), American ...