Helen Sage reports London firm Bishop & Sewell is installing Quantum accounts and Microsoft Office in a new integrated 14-user Pentium-based system. Hastings practice, Butters David Grey, is upgrading to a multi-user accounts system and introducing new conveyancing software developed by Quill Computer Systems. Ralph C Yablon in Bradford is installing a case management system […]
The Lord Chancellors’ Department and the Home Office are set for a confrontation with magistrates court administrators over proposals for changes in magistrates court enforcement procedures (The Lawyer 12 December). Mr Justice Popplewell has given leave for judicial review to be sought of plans for a shift of responsibility in respect of enforcement work. The […]
Helen Sage reports The police force has finally acquired a single software package to help its fight against crime. After its introduction to the Northumbrian force this month, Analyst’s Notebooks software is being used to fight crime by every force in the UK. The software is used by investigators and analysts to produce a range […]
Helen Sage reports Instant Library has launched Legal Update, a legal loose-leaf filing service to add to its portfolio of information management services. Chair Diana Edmonds said: “Legal Update is a natural addition to the many document management projects that we already undertake on behalf of lawyers and accountants.”
A FORMER City partner has crossed over to the Bar in search of more advocacy work and greater variety. Sue Burns, formerly of Lovell White Durrant, was invited to join 3 Serjeants’ Inn chambers after successfully completing a three-month refresher pupillage. She originally qualified as a barrister before establishing herself as a construction litigation specialist […]
Doctor challenges contract. A doctor is heading for the High Court in a bid to block disciplinary moves against him by a Stoke-on-Trent NHS Trust over the issuing of cremation certificates. Dr Saltio Sangerlee, is seeking a declaration that under his 1982 employment contract the trust is not entitled to discipline him for the matters […]
THE MINI cab firm convicted for displaying the word “taxi” on its “taxi-bikes” has found a motor cycle-mad lawyer to represent it in the appeal case. London’s largest mini-cab and courier operators Addison Lee has appointed Stephen Cantle, senior partner at London firm Kennedys, to conduct its appeal against a magistrates court conviction and £500 […]
AUSTRALIAN law firm Minter Ellison has cast a net over the London market in an effort to recruit a senior associate to its UK practice. The firm, which has operated a London office for more than 20 years, is replacing Stephen Britt who leaves at the end of the year to become an in-house lawyer […]
A EUROPEAN “lawyers’ house” is set to be created in Brussels if a deal to share offices is struck between the UK Law Societies and the German Federal Bar. The Brussels office of the Law Societies of England and Wales and Scotland could take up new premises next year, sharing for the first time with […]
Maidstone firm Whitehead Monckton has set up an investment management department. The 14-partner firm has hired an ex-stockbroker as director of investment services and an operations manager to man the department. It has also become a member of the Association of Solicitor Investment Managers (Asim). Richard Lewis joins the firm from Edinburgh Fund Managers where […]
THE HANDLING of appeals in housing benefit cases is unsatisfactory, according to the Council on Tribunals. In a report published last week, the statutory watchdog on tribunal performance and procedures considered the new system for fixing levels of housing benefit and criticised the lack of a proper appeal system in resolving disputes. Launching the report, […]
THE BAR Council is waging a battle for the hearts and minds of the Bar over the council’s proposed complaints scheme. Council chair Peter Goldsmith QC is leading a war of circulars, warning barristers of the need to adopt the scheme, already watered down by a Criminal Bar Association amendment which restricts compensation payments to […]