All News articles – Page 1821
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News
The enema of reason
And still they come, those legal typos. Some bring tears to our eyes, for more reasons than one. Sarah O’Leary of Dobson Solicitors recalls a brief to counsel on a rape case referring to a client undergoing a ‘penile swap’ at the police station. ‘Politicians might see this as an ...
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SRA eyes simplified higher rights plan
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has proposed a streamlined route for solicitors who wish to gain higher rights of audience. After last month dropping a plan to introduce voluntary accreditation, the SRA board has applied to the Ministry of Justice to close off the accreditation and ...
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Firms make virtual lawyer hires
‘Virtual’ legal practices that allow employees to work from home are looking to mop up redundant City solicitors or those worried about losing jobs. A number of such practices – which employ freelance lawyers and pool their expertise – said this week that they are ...
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Solicitors fret over KBF
Solicitors have voiced concerns over the safety of money paid to a specialist lending arm of collapsed Icelandic bank Landsbanki as rescue talks failed to produce a new financial backer. As the Gazette went to press, Key Business Finance (KBF) – a subsidiary of Landsbanki’s ...
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Human rights
Health – Assisted reproduction – Consent to treatment – EC law L v (1) Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (2) Secretary of State for Health: Fam Div (Mr Justice Charles): 3 October 2008 ...
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Personal injury
Addiction – Causation – Contributory negligence – Expert evidence – Prison offices Ryan St George (a patient suing by his father and litigation friend David St George) v Home Office: CA (Civ Div) (Lords Justice Ward, Dyson, Lloyd): 8 ...
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Intellectual property
Computers – Excluded subject matter – Patentability - Software Symbian Ltd v Comptroller General of Patents: CA (Civ Div) (Lords Justice Jacob, Maurice Kay, Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury): 8 October 2008 ...
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Litigation slur
I write as chair of the Law Society Civil Litigation Committee, and on behalf of litigation solicitors, to correct a very inaccurate slur upon solicitors in the feature headlined ‘Have your say’ (see [2008] Gazette, 16 October, 16). The author says that ‘the profession has so ...
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The truth is out there
Public inquiries are cathartic for grieving families but often fail to address the very failings they identify. In recent years, public inquiries have become part of the fabric of our political life. Their recommendations are often the platform for major public policy changes.
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Post-charge questioning plans 'unacceptable'
Government proposals to allow defendants to be questioned after charge amount to ‘serious oppression’ and need to be carefully controlled, according to a leading academic. Michael Zander, emeritus professor at the London School of Economics, told the Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) conference last week that ...
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Small wonders
I refer to Brian Craig’s comments alluding to the creation of a ‘cottage industry’ in respect of criminal legal aid firms (see [2008] Gazette, 9 October, 3). Such a view is unqualified and is also patronising towards smaller criminal practices. Mr Craig apparently believes that larger firms should be entitled ...
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Toxic waste
I write with reference to Peter Williamson’s article ‘Rehearsing for the Big Bang’ on the advent of alternative business structures (see [2008] Gazette, 9 October, 10). I remember the government’s decision some years ago to have ‘light-touch’ regulation of the financial sector. We are all now ...
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Acquisitions, sales, energy projects and land purchases
Green fingers: Ipswich firm Birketts advised Notcutts, a Woodbridge-based garden centre operator, on its £14.5m acquisition of six garden centres in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Cheshire from AIM-listed distribution company NWF Group. North-west firm Brabners advised NWF.
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How oil prices and the credit crunch affect aviation law
Airlines have gone to the wall as the price of oil rockets. How can lawyers help the industry weather the turbulence? Airlines are, metaphorically, falling out of the skies. A lethal combination of the credit crisis, the accompanying downturn in customer demand and recent high oil ...
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Chancery Lane paves the way for new 'affiliate' category
The Law Society has moved closer to opening its doors to non-solicitors after 63% of council members voted in favour of creating a new ‘affiliate’ category. The introduction of ‘affiliate’ status is part of the Society’s plan to become a more commercially minded outfit. ...
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PI mediation: moving to alternate methods of resolution
Many lawyers still need convincing about the benefits of mediation, but its impact in personal injury cases can be hugely beneficial. ‘I felt like I was beating my head against the door for four years, just getting nowhere. The lawyers were ...
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International arbitration: getting pricier, but still growing
When Eurotunnel sought £30m in compensation for losses incurred through illegal immigrants crossing the English Channel, damaging terminal buildings and causing disruption to services, it blamed both France and Britain: France for the Sangatte hostel fiasco, creating a so-called departure lounge for illegals and the UK for its apathy in ...
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Arbitration
Customer law – Appointments – Enforcement – Unfair contract terms Mylcrist Builders Ltd v G Buck: QBD (TCC) (Mr Justice Ramsey): 19 September 2008 The applicant building company (M) applied ...
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Solicitors assured over criminal costs
Barristers will not gain at the expense of solicitors in the stand-off over very high cost criminal cases, the new legal aid minister assured practitioners this week. In his first engagement as minister, Lord Bach said there is ‘no question’ of funding any increase in advocacy ...