THE LAW Society’s new computer system will cost five times more than was originally anticipated, a confidential consultants’ report reveals. The implementation of the Regis system has been characterised by “time pressures” and “errors,” says the report which estimates it will have cost £10m by the time it is fully installed, compared to the original […]
MANCHESTER lawyers are debating this week whether to continue meeting in a club that excludes women members. The debate, which falls as solicitors across the country gather in the city for the Solicitors Annual Conference, has been forced by Oldham personal injury lawyer Carol Hepworth. She thinks the society should stop using the 19th century […]
Robert Lindsay watches as Charles Allen-Jones, Linklaters & Paines’ head man, ticks off his aims for the firm’s future in its global targets “We don’t talk about threats,” said Charles Allen-Jones, the new senior partner at Linklaters & Paines, “We prefer to talk about developments in the market which we have to meet.” Allen-Jones moved […]
COUNCIL lawyers are being urged to act quickly to prepare a comprehensive register of contaminated sites within their boundaries to avoid the threat of judicial reviews. According to Berrymans’ planning specialist, Steven Francis, the government’s planned new contaminated land regime will impose a great burden on local authorities. The Department of the Environment has issued […]
The Lord Chancellor received a cool reception at the National Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux annual conference, where delegates said he did little to restore confidence in his legal aid reforms. At the recent conference in York, Lord Mackay said the poor could no longer rely on legal aid if they wanted to go to […]
That certain barristers’ chambers are facing a crisis over attracting clients has been an open secret for some time. Any solicitor who has regular dealings with the Bar will have been the target of various attempts by chambers to market themselves more effectively and to raise the profile of their members. The chambers most affected […]
New research has shown that Lord Woolf’s proposed £2,500 maximum on costs for the fast track is likely to be far too low for personal injury cases, backing up personal injury lawyers’ claims that his proposals won’t work for them. In an analysis of 119 personal injury case files likely to have fallen within Lord […]
The UK’s law societies have joined forces with the German Federal Bar in an attempt to scupper a European Commission directive which would allow comparative advertising between law firms. The groups, which share an office in Brussels, have enlisted the support of UK MEP Philip Whitehead to table an amendment in the European Parliament to […]
Around 475 partners from the world’s largest law firm Baker & McKenzie will converge on London this week to discuss the firm’s future plans, which include expanding into India and Central Asia. Partners from the firm’s 55 offices around the world will meet for three days to discuss the key decisions which affect the international […]
The pros and cons of arbitration will be discussed at a seminar on employment law in London on 31 October. Sir John Wood, chairman of the Central Arbitration Committee, will discuss the merits of binding arbitration at the session organised by LGC Training. Contact 0170-833 7327 for details.
Mitre Furnishing Group, of South Tolworth, Surrey, is suing its former credit controller for damages over an alleged fraud. It has issued a writ against Ashley Hardy, of Rotherfield, East Sussex, for £422,600 which it claims represents the value of goods and materials he fraudulently converted. Mitre is also suing Ganshyam Patel, of Claygate, Surrey, […]
Kenneth James Crawley, admitted 1980, practising at material times in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, struck off and ordered to pay £4,236 costs. Allegations substantiated that he wrongly drew and used client account money, failed to keep properly written books, failed to reply to letters from client and Solicitors Complaints Bureau, failed to carry out retainer using […]