Landlord and tenant cases may be seen as the ultimate David and Goliath battle in the commercial property sector, but in terms of barristers many involved say that one set houses the legal giants in this very specialised area. According to most leading practitioners, Falcon Chambers is “pre-eminent in this field and very highly rated. […]
Norton Rose City lawyer Charles Proctor has warned that creditors will have no legal right to reject payment made with the Euro, the new European single currency due to be introduced at the end of the decade. Speaking at a conference in Cambridge, Proctor said that a creditor will have no valid claim for breach […]
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Apil) claims Lord Mackay is exaggerating the cost of personal injury cases to justify cutting legal aid. David Marshall, Apil legal aid spokesman, said lawyers interpreted the Lord Chancellor’s recent remarks about “legal aid wasting money on too many weak, trivial and undeserving cases” as referring to class actions […]
THE FIRST CPS lawyer to prosecute in a Crown Court has left the service to join a set of chambers as a barrister. Philip Drinkwater, a former branch crown prosecutor, has been made a tenant at Exeter’s newly named Colleton Chambers, which has just relocated. He made history with the CPS in 1986 when he […]
With devolution on the political agenda, we asked the top 50 Scottish firms if they want a separate Scottish legislature. Almost 60 per cent were in favour. From the legal professional’s viewpoint, although there is separate Scottish legislation, moving it outside London would make it clearer. One firm says: “A separate Scottish legislature in the […]
The Scottish Law Commission has recommended that a multi-party action procedure be introduced in the Scottish courts. Parties who opt into the group proceedings would be bound by the results on the common questions and would be liable to contribute to the expenses of the litigation. The scheme would initially be introduced in the Court […]
City firm Freshfields has recruited senior US lawyer Kent Rowey to its international project finance unit in London in response to growing competition from rivals. US and UK firms have increasingly seen marketing in-house American and British legal expertise as a way of attracting clients. Freshfields partner Simon Hall said: “Having both a British and […]
Expansion at the UK’s top football clubs is providing opportunities for law firms. Edge & Ellison advised Caspian, which recently acquired Leeds United for about £50 million. Newcastle United has recruited financial advisers who will consider taking the club public via a stock market flotation. Legal advisers have not yet been officially appointed. Chelsea has […]
A demand from Michael Howells, Law Society treasurer, that an inquiry into his future should be held publicly has been snubbed by president Martin Mears. Three society ex-presidents are to decide whether Howells should resign as treasurer, if re-elected to the council, after it was found he had been severely reprimanded by the Solicitors Complaints […]
The Law Commission has proposed changes to evidence given in court about a defendants previous misconduct. Criminal lawyers will have until the 31 October 1996 to provide feedback on the commission’s proposal that a defendant should be given protection against the introduction of evidence of bad character.
Southampton solicitor Keith Wiseman has been elected chair of the Football Association, the most powerful position in English football. Wiseman will remain senior partner of Southampton litigation and advocacy practice Woodford & Ackroyd, he specialises in family child care litigation. He was formerly vice-chair of Southampton Football Club, also known as The Saints. Wiseman was […]
City firm Harris Rosenblatt & Kramer has absorbed the banking and finance department of Bromley firm Hill Bailey. Under an unusual arrangement, the department will still operate in Hill Bailey’s offices as a satellite of the City firm. HR&K will gain a new portfolio of clients, mostly mortgage companies, and seven fee earners. None of […]