Memory lane 9 November 2022

Gazette 15 November 2012

Grayling renews human rights assault

Justice secretary Chris Grayling has used the Abu Qatada deportation battle to strengthen his call for reform of European human rights laws. The radical cleric was released on bail this week after a special immigration appeals commission allowed his appeal against deportation to Jordan.

7 November 2002

Bar lifted on litigation

The first 10 barristers to be given the same right as solicitors to conduct litigation have been approved by the Bar Council. To qualify for authorisation, a barrister must undergo three months of supervised practice with a six-year-qualified litigation solicitor or have worked in-house for at least a year. 

11 November 1992

Many set to drop out of criminal work

If Lord Mackay’s proposals for standard fee payments in the magistrates’ courts are implemented, a significant proportion of solicitors’ firms say they would scale down considerably the amount of criminal work they handle. About 14% of firms said they would permanently withdraw all staff from 24-hour police station duty schemes. 

10 November 1982

The loneliness of the senior partner

Splinter groups and societies abound to look after the interests of just about every type of solicitor. However, I know of no organisation created to assist those loneliest of mortals, the senior or managing partner. I feel that what is required is some sort of forum for the exchange of ideas. It would be nice to know that your particular, seemingly risky, brainwave has in fact been tried in some other part of England.

15 November 1972

Asian lawyers from Uganda

Some Asian lawyers coming from Uganda are members of the English bar. Naturally they are seeking employment and a likely field is as clerks in solicitors’ offices. There is, however, a technical difficulty. Before being called to the bar, they will have signed a declaration which, inter alia, precludes them from acting as a solicitor or a clerk in the employ of a solicitor.