Last 3 months headlines – Page 1359
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Lessons for lawyers in Northern Ireland from past lawyer ‘strikes’
Following the introduction last month of new fees for criminal legal aid work, solicitors in Northern Ireland have withdrawn their services in Crown court cases. Pearse MacDermott, executive member of the Solicitors Criminal Bar Association told the Gazette that the rates of pay for Crown court ...
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Landmark ruling on miscarriages of justice expected
Hundreds of people wrongly convicted of a serious crime will hear this week if they can make a fresh bid for compensation. Nine senior judges from the Supreme Court will decide the exact definition of a ‘miscarriage of justice’ in a landmark ruling expected tomorrow. ...
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Implications of new product placement regime for lawyers
On 28 February 2011, viewers of the This Morning breakfast show witnessed the first paid-for product placement on UK TV – the Dolce Gusto coffee machine. This cost Nescafé a reported £100,000, but what return on investment (ROI) did it generate, how was the price ...
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How long will ABSs last?
History has a habit of repeating itself. Why do we never learn from previous experience? There are many good things. The introduction of non-lawyers to ownership is one following years of consideration. Some other factors are, however, doubtful in my ...
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Lawyers unaware of pro bono costs orders, charity warns
Legal charities are missing out on funding because the majority of lawyers are unaware of the existence of ‘pro bono costs’ orders, research has suggested. Where a civil case is won by a lawyer providing free legal representation, under Section 194 of the Legal Services Act ...
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Ethics, the public interest and regulation
by Dr Richard Willis, a historian and published author Law Society president Linda Lee pointed out in President’s Podium that the critical importance of legal ethics must not be sidelined as the market changes – opening up to greater competition with the licensing of Alternative Business ...
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Some ideas from the US for the new SRA Handbook
Here is my second attempt to analyse provisions of the new SRA Handbook. I am prompted to think about it again because the American Bar Association’s Ethics 20/20 Commission, which is looking at whether new ways of working need a change to ethics and regulation, ...
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Charging powers passed from CPS to police
The power to decide charges for those suspected of crimes will be passed from the Crown Prosecution Service to the police under plans announced by the home secretary today, in what she called a ‘radical leap forward for policing’. Theresa May said the Home Office will ...
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Two new insurers set to enter solicitors’ PII market
Two new, A-rated insurers are poised to enter the professional indemnity insurance market, adding much-needed volume to a market that is again expected to be tough this year. Leading broker Richard Brown told the Sole Practitioners Conference in Harrogate yesterday that he is ‘90% of the ...
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Barnardo’s issues warning over asbo repeal
A leading children’s charity this week warned of the dangers of government plans to repeal the anti-social behaviour order (asbo). The Home Office is currently consulting on its ‘More Effective Responses to Anti-Social Behaviour’ policy, which aims to give the police, courts and the community extra ...
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Legal grounds for intervention in Libya?
In the midst of rapid developments at the diplomatic and military level concerning the Gaddafi regime, it is important to remember that Libya is no stranger to UN sanctions or bombing by NATO member state warplanes. On 15 April 1986, in purported retaliation for alleged ...
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From crooks to books
Obiter was intrigued to read in the Guardian’s education section last week that those who have had a brush with the law are often inspired to go on and study the subject during their stay at Her Majesty’s pleasure. Apparently an increasing number of prisoners ...
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Will Darts miss target?
Traditionalist Obiter was saddened to learn this week that court stenographers are to be the latest victim of advances in technology. The Ministry of Justice has revealed that stenographers will be phased out in courts next year in favour of a new system known as ...
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It's a frame up
Many law firms like to make a show of putting a nice piece of art on the wall, in an attempt to look highbrow. But it’s fair to say Sussex firm Burt Brill & Cardens has paid more than lip service to the local arts ...
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High Society
Later this month the erstwhile chief executive of the Bar Council, David Hobart, takes up his new role as chief executive of the City of London Law Society. The Society may not have realised that it is gaining not only a former bar bigwig, and ...
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Financial regulation
Financial Services Authority - Payment protection insurance - Financial Ombudsman R (on the application of British Bankers Association) (Claimant) v (1) Financial Services Authority (2) Financial Ombudsman Service (Defendants) and Nemo Personal Finance Ltd (Interested Party): QBD (Admin) (Mr ...
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Intellectual Property
Media and entertainment - Information technology - European Union R (on the application of (1) British Telecommunications Plc (2) Talktalk Telecom Group Plc) (Claimants) v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Defendant) and BPI (British Recorded Music ...