The Law Society Gazette, 23 July 2009

‘Battle won’ on BVT – but not the war

Solicitors claimed to have ‘won a battle’ with the Legal Services Commission this week, as it announced it is to delay the rollout of best value tendering across the country by three years. However, lawyers voiced concern that the LSC still plans to pilot the scheme this autumn, warning that the pilots could lead to ‘personal bankruptcy’ for firms that decide to take part.

Legal class divide widens

A government-commissioned report that lays bare the privileged background of most lawyers shows that class distinction still dominates the sector. The final report of the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions, chaired by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn, shows that the law remains one of the most socially exclusive professions and that mobility is actually diminishing.

22 July 2004

India bar chiefs offer ray of hope on practice rights

A delegation of leaders from the bars of India returned home from the UK last week with positive messages of encouragement for liberalisation of practice rules in the subcontinent, where foreign lawyers are still banned from working.

20 July 1994

Euro court boost for pregnant staff

Employers face ‘enormous’ compensation bills for sacking pregnant women following a new ruling from the European Court of Justice, lawyers have warned. The ruling has been described as another blow to the government’s attempts to deregulate workers’ rights, and has been welcomed by the trade unions and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Giving judgment in Webb v EMO Air Cargo UK Ltd, the European court closely followed the opinion of the advocate-general that the dismissal of a pregnant woman two weeks after her recruitment as a replacement for another woman on maternity leave was direct discrimination contrary to European law on equal treatment.

July 1914

Miscellaneous professional information

Messrs. Munton, Morris, King, Gavan Duffy & Co, of Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue EC, notify that they have opened offices in Germany, at Berlin and at Hamburg.

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