All Obiter articles – Page 78
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News160 all out for SJ
Obiter is saddened to hear of the demise of Solicitors Journal, the oldest (and for many years the only) publication aimed at our branch of the profession. The final edition appears tomorrow. From its first number in January 1857, the Journal took a broad view of legal interests, for instance ...
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NewsAviva slapped down over its need for speed
Insurance heavyweight Aviva has never been afraid to put the boot into what it calls the ‘aggressive and sustained’ marketing campaigns of claims companies. So it may offer claimant lawyers a little Schadenfreude to learn the insurer is in hot water itself over one particular bit of advertising. Aviva’s campaign ...
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NewsA popular cease and desist? Stranger Things have happened
Almost by definition, ’cease and desist’ letters from multinational corporations rarely reveal a sense of humour. So kudos to media giant Netflix for its passive aggressive note to the owners of a pop-up bar in Chicago. The bar is a tribute to the Netflix show Stranger Things, a horror drama ...
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NewsMemory lane
The Law Society Gazette, 20 September 2007 In-house solicitors reel after privilege ruling In-house lawyers must rethink their strategy for dealing with European Commission dawn raids, the Commerce & Industry Group has warned. It follows the long-awaited decision of the European Court of First Instance in the Akzo Nobel case, ...
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NewsWhitehall fudge
Justice ministry’s three-word equivalent to ‘strong and stable’ rolled out by latest incumbents.
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NewsPen pally
On the topic of satisfied clients, what is the nicest letter you have ever received? Neil McCormick of Somerset gets the ball rolling with a missive (from a well-known actress) saying: ‘Your letter was so clear I can’t believe it was written by a lawyer.’ ‘I have attempted to live ...
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NewsSkin-deep tolerance for needle work
Even in these dress-down days, it seems one fashion item is still a no-no for lawyers. A survey on attitudes to visible tattoos in 13 occupations places lawyers fourth from bottom in public acceptability. Apparently, 57% of people are comfortable with tattooed lawyers, compared with 73% who think it OK ...
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NewsMemory lane
The Law Society Gazette, 6 September 2007 Non-lawyer partners get 2008 green light Multi-disciplinary partnerships and non-lawyer investment in law firms are set to become a reality next year under government plans for a limited early introduction of alternative business structures, the Gazette can reveal. The government says the changes ...
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NewsEU Patent Court on our patch? Let's talk
Among several omissions from last week’s ‘position paper’ setting out how the government plans to resolve disputes with the EU after Brexit is any mention of the Unified Patent Court, an arm of which is now taking physical shape in London. Obiter’s suspicion is that Whitehall does not want to ...
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NewsCourt is worth the trip - shame about the coffee
Whether it’s a hotel or a restaurant, Obiter’s due diligence always includes a glance at TripAdvisor to see if the experience has prompted any stinkers of reviews. So congratulations to the Supreme Court on being awarded the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence. It tweets: We’ve been awarded the @TripAdvisor Certificate ...
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NewsHarvey brings out the best in the bar
Colleagues in the US are defying the popular stereotype of the American lawyer by mobilising to provide free help for victims of the Hurricane Harvey disaster. Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local legal aid offices, the American Bar Association’s young lawyers division has set up helplines ...
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NewsLidington offers nothing of interest
Much of the media focus on last week’s MPs’ register of interests was on Theresa May’s shoe shop discount card and Ed Miliband’s £2,500 payment for a presenting stint on BBC Radio 2. For those with an eye on legal matters, the register, which covers interests as at 31 July, ...
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NewsTrust and transparency
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is keen for law firms to be transparent over the fees they charge. In the spirit of openness, therefore, it seemed only right to ask how much the regulator spent on its Trust and the Market conference held in London in June. Louise Minchin ...
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NewsOur new moral entrepreneurs
I wonder if the demonstrations over the Charlie Gard case, the opposition to Martin Moore-Bick in the Grenfell Tower inquiry and the general attack on the judiciary over the Brexit hearings are the start of what sociologists call a ‘symbolic’ crusade – complete with ‘moral entrepreneurs’. In a symbolic crusade ...
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NewsMoJ’s word is its bond
The trouble with the ‘churn-rate’ at the very top of the Ministry of Justice is that ministers aren’t always around to take the credit for brilliant ideas when they prove right. So it is with the Cohort 2 trial (Peterborough) of ‘payment by results’ resettlement support scheme. MoJ research concludes ...
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NewsMemory lane
The Law Society Gazette, 2 August 2007 Senior judges fear threat to independence The chairman of the constitutional affairs select committee has slammed the government following a damning report on the Ministry of Justice’s creation. ‘What is at stake is something that is fundamental to our constitution,’ Alan Beith MP ...