Government's mixed bag

It is tempting, after any Queen's speech, to resort to the curate's egg metaphor.

And indeed, last week's instalment - coming on the back of an historic second overwhelming Labour election majority - has its good parts for lawyers and solicitors specifically.Many conveyancing specialist solicitors will cheer the disappearance of the Homes Bill, which has for the time being put paid to plans for a sellers' pack.

Its replacement with a Land Registration Bill is potentially good news as it appears designed to encourage the greater use of new technology in the property field, potentially creating a system of e-conveyancing.

Likewise, the reintroduction of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill is to be welcomed.However, there are some concerns for lawyers.

There are suggestions that ministers could revive the sellers' pack later in this parliament.

The Criminal Justice Bill ominously proposes the scrapping of the ancient double jeopardy rule, a move which would cause many criminal specialist practitioners great alarm.And the Queen's speech left the legal profession still in the dark on the six-month-overdue Auld review of the criminal justice system and its proposals.

Again, specialist solicitors will find the delay frustrating and worrying.