Law Society Gazette 

14 September 2015

Fight to save busiest doomed court

Lawyers using the busiest court in England to be earmarked for closure have pleaded with lord chancellor Michael Gove to reconsider his position. Chichester Combined Court is set for closure despite a 78% usage rate during 2014/15. 

15 September 2005

Fixed fees for crime work

The prospect of fixed fees for police station work – which may include rate cuts – was raised this week by the Legal Services Commission, which was also accused of asking solicitors to spy on barristers over potential pay strikes. The LSC declined to comment on potential cuts, but commentators said the aim was to shave at least 5% from the criminal legal aid budget. 

20 September 1995

Woolf report wins qualified support 

Lord Woolf’s interim report on civil justice has been welcomed by the Law Society in its provisional response, but important objections remain on matters of detail. One of the most controversial matters is the increased small claims jurisdiction – from £1,000 to £3,000 – which the government has already decided to implement. 

11 September 1985

Enduring Powers of Attorney Act 

The Enduring Powers of Attorney Act 1985, which has received Royal Assent and is expected to come into operation by the end of this year, will provide a cheap, quick and simple alternative method for dealing with the affairs of the mentally ill or confused. 

September 1965

Her Lordship

Since that far-off day in 1922 when Miss Helena Normanton achieved the singular distinction of being the first lady to be called to the bar, it must have been clear even to the most prejudiced anti-feminist that at some point in time a lady would sit upon the High Court bench – and now that has happened. Lane J will shortly take her place among the puisne judges of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division.

Topics