All News articles – Page 1806

  • News

    Freedom of information

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Expenses – members of parliament – parliamentary privilege – additional costs allowance Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v (1) Information Commissioner (2) Heather Brooke (3) ...

  • News

    Which? way forward

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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).

  • News

    First and last word

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • News

    Employment

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Race discrimination – burden of proof – reasons – unfair dismissal – reasons for dismissals Khan & anor v Home Office: CA (Civ Div) (Lords Justice May, ...

  • News

    The drawbacks of drawdown

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • News

    Preaching diversity

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • News

    Deals of the week

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Flying deal: City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner advised Ascent, a consortium comprising defence company Lockheed Martin and defence contractor VT Group, on a contract to provide UK military flight and weapons system training to RAF, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps pilots for ...

  • News

    Steep learning curve

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • News

    Cry freedom

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • News

    Criminal

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Capacity – consent – jury directions – mental disorder – sexual offences against mentally disordered persons R v C: CA (Crim Div) (Lord Chief Justice Phillips, Mr ...

  • News

    Law firm 'yet to feel credit crunch'

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Half of law firms claim the credit crunch has not yet had an adverse impact on their businesses, according to a straw poll taken at Travelers’ On Risk conference. Just 12% of delegates – made up of more than 100 partners and risk managers from a ...

  • News

    New framework for plea negotiation in fraud cases

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • News

    Judicial candidates selection concern

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    The Society of Asian Lawyers (SAL) has voiced concern over reports that candidates have been put forward for judicial appointment in competitions they had not entered. SAL chairman Sailesh Mehta said he had been informed that a position was to be given to a candidate who ...

  • News

    'Outsource work or risk being cut out of the loop'

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Law firms should be looking to cut costs and outsource some legal work to compete effectively once alternative business structures (ABSs) come into being, Kerry Underwood, senior partner at Hertfordshire firm Underwoods, has warned. Speaking at a legal process outsourcing (LPO) event hosted by the South ...

  • News

    Massive attack

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • News

    Quality of legal aid provision 'at risk'

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    The government is risking lowering standards in legal aid provision if it presses ahead with its reform programme, the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) warned at the launch of a new fundraising campaign – Friends of LAPG – last week. Speaking at the event – which ...

  • News

    Try and tri again

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Yet more lawyers pushing themselves to the limit. This time solicitors Paul Arthur, 43, Anna Burns, 25, Julian Evitts, 33, and trainee Helen Rice, 26 – all from Chester firm Oliver & Co – have completed their first triathlon, raising £650 for Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Lung Foundation.

  • News

    Messing about in boats

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Vintage-boat owner and conveyancing solicitor Chris Malley (inset) emailed Obiter to tell of his acting part in film director Richard Curtis’s latest feature – yes, he of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill fame – apparently titled The Boat that Rocked. Malley, 61-year-old partner at Weymouth firm Simon ...

  • News

    Top 100 cautious despite growth

    2008-07-04T00:00:00Z

    Major firms are forecasting single-digit growth in fee income for the coming year, despite continued double-digit growth up to April, according to business advisory firm Deloitte. The top 100 achieved 12% growth in the quarter ended 30 April compared to the same period in 2007, Deloitte ...

  • News

    Torts

    2008-07-03T00:00:00Z

    Sports employment – Rugby - Trespass to the person - Assault by rugby player during rugby match - Close connection between tort and employment Andrew Gravil v (1) Richard Carroll (2) Redruth Rugby Football Club: CA (Civ Div) (Sir Anthony Clarke, Master of the Rolls, Lords ...