Law Society Gazette 7 November 2016

LCJ: crisis in courts ‘unprecedented’ 

The lord chief justice has lifted the lid on the crisis in the courts, which is sending morale in the judiciary plummeting. In his third annual report to parliament, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd was unusually candid about the ‘significant difficulties’ courts face with their caseload.   

9 November 2006

HIPs call to solicitors

Solicitors must engage with home information pack (HIP) trials or risk losing their position in the market, conveyancing practitioners warned as the government-funded dry run of the scheme began in Newcastle.

6 November 1996

India détente talks

The difficulties faced by foreign lawyers trying to practise in India have prompted several City firms to join forces in taking action to improve the situation. At a meeting called last week by the Law Society, representatives from a dozen firms proposed the establishment of a British India Law Association. 

5 November 1986

Sold out on independence

The prevailing mood among delegates at the Law Society’s conference in Torquay was one of pessimism. They bemoaned the fact that they felt changes were being forced upon the profession with irresistible inevitability, in particular proposals that solicitors should be allowed to be employed by, or have arrangements with, banks, building societies and estate agencies. 

3 November 1976

Revenue’s new powers

Sched 6 of the Finance Act, giving the Revenue wider powers of investigation, received a foreseeably rough passage through parliament. As Sir Geoffrey Howe said: ‘We do not challenge the principle that it is necessary for collectors to have reasonable powers to prevent evasion, but that interest must be balanced against the need to avoid any interference with the taxpayers and citizens of this country.’

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