The Law Society’s Gazette, 21 July 1993 Gloom over franchise perksThe Legal Aid Board published its completed franchising specification this week, with a view to accepting the first franchise applications by 1 October. But, as the pace for this major development of legal practice quickens, solicitors are increasingly convinced that it will not be worthwhile applying for a franchise because of inadequate financial incentives.

In praise of Runciman For those responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious fraud, there is much to be welcomed in the report of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice. The Royal Commission has proposed that targets should be set for the amount of time to be occupied for each stage of the trial, with written skeleton arguments submitted in advance and time limits imposed on oral argument. This would be a valuable new discipline.

The Law Society’s Gazette, 25 July 1973 The right to be left aloneCircumstances certainly suggest that the scandal of the call girls is going to raise a good many wider issues. Faced with a mass of material which needed corroboration, the News of the World arranged for photographs to be taken of Lord Lambton when he was to be seen in a compromising sexual position. It should be emphasised that the newspaper in question denies that it had any intention of publication.

The Law Society’s Gazette, July 1953 Why do men climb Everest?To climb Everest is the quintessence of the art of mountaineering. It is the highest point, its defences are skilfully set, its summit seems to be at, or perhaps a little beyond, the limit attainable by the human organism. The maximum obstacles are met by the maximum effort and the result is recognised as the maximum of satisfaction. It is to achieve this that men climb that mountain.

Notable British Trials No. 78: The Trial of John George Haigh (The Acid Bath Murder), edited by Lord Dunboyne. From the legal point of view, the only aspect of interest in the Haigh case is the insanity issue. Perhaps the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment will in due course suggest some alternative to the Macnaghten Rules.

The Law Society’s Gazette, July 1913 The Society’s Strong RoomsThe Council desire it to be known that some of the fire-proof rooms in the basement of the Society’s Hall are vacant, and can be rented by members at rents varying from £5 to £10 per annum, according to the size of the rooms.