Leading lawyers have hammered out a plan that could end the stalemate blocking the trial of the two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing. The Libyans are refusing to leave their country because they do not believe they would get a fair trial in the US and the UK, but say they would accept a […]
The UK government is dragging its heels on establishing an international criminal court, said one of the leading lawyers involved in its establishment. Cherif Bassiouni, vice-chairman of the UN committee charged with setting up an international criminal court, told the Lockerbie conference: “A number of governments, including the UK, are not very favourable to the […]
Liverpool City Council has accused a local firm of conniving with a landlord in a bid to maximise housing benefit claims. The council has reported D P Hardy & Co to the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and the Legal Aid Board, following an aborted judicial review action handled by the firm. It alleges […]
Ian Walker, vice-president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Apil), has been elected to the Board of Governors of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Apil’s US equivalent. Walker, of London firm Russell Jones & Walker, has been elected for a three-year term and will serve with Michael Napier, elected last year as […]
Crash of Pan Am flight 103: those accused of the bombing faced trial by media With conveyancing still cut-throat and legal aid cases a less-than-reliable source of profitable fees, commercial work has become the life-saver of many small and medium-sized practices. Lawyers could learn much from chartered accountants, who over the last decade have become […]
David Wallen, a solicitor who, until last November, was a partner in Robin Thompson & Partners, has settled his libel action against the Birmingham Post. The paper had alleged that Wallen had assaulted the husband of his opponent, a litigant in person, after a hearing at Birmingham County Court, aggravating his stomach abscess and causing […]
Deborah Mills & Associates, specialist in commercial and energy law, is hiving off its property and litigation work so it can concentrate on its energy practice. Under an agreement between it and Gordons, both based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, DMA will refer litigation and property work to its neighbour. Partners from each firm will act as […]
Manchester-based Halliwell Landau has been appointed legal adviser to the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. “Halliwell Landau was chosen to provide all legal services to the museum in view of the firm’s breadth of expertise and commitment to service,” said museum director Patrick Greene. Halliwell partner Geoffrey Shindler will lead the legal team […]
As Tony Girling chairs his first Law Society Council meeting as president this week, it emerged that Martin Mears, his ousted predecessor on the council, is busily preparing a dossier of his mistakes. Mears has told friends that he is compiling a critique of Girling’s presidential term of office, to be made public just before […]
What law practitioners are looking for in a family or matrimonial law barrister is the ability to really cut through to the issue as well as the ability to communicate with the clients. They should be able to create a feeling of confidence and come up with a solution without necessarily having to rely on […]
When it comes to intellectual property disputes, companies invariably choose one of the major London specialists. In one pending High Court action, however, northern company Defender Security Systems has sought legal advice from a firm on its own doorstep. Solicitor Jonathan Armstrong, a member of the fast-expanding IP department at Keeble Hawson Rodgers & Howe […]
Charles Marquand is a barrister at 3 New Square. Crest, the paperless securities settlements system, went live on 15 July. The system allows shareholders to transfer shares electronically rather than having to use paper transfer forms and certificates. Parties to a bargain can now send “dematerialised instructions” to the “operator” who, in turn, sends an […]