PARTNERS at Slaughter and May and Linklaters & Paines have given evidence in a High Court battle which lawyers say will have implications for the capital markets sector. The lawyer-packed case is the first to come to trial as a result of the Barings bank collapse. A judgment is expected any time from this week. […]
Sir Tim Chessells, chair of the Legal Aid Board: Claims that the Legal Aid Board is setting the political agenda are “nonsense”. The board is continuing to improve its bureaucratic procedures while its franchising initiative “happens to sit very well with the way legal aid seems to be evolving”. The cost of legal aid, abuses […]
THE body which represents secretaries of district and unitary councils has changed its name to reflect the legal discipline of many of its members. The Association of District Secretaries became the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors (ACSeS) at last month’s annual meeting. Spokesman Mark Winstanley said the change was to clarify ACSeS’ identity as […]
Only a few weeks ago executive director of the British Overseas Trade Group Peter Stiles returned from Jordan full of excitement. He had been at the Middle East and North Africa Economic Summit in Amman where the mood was optimistic and Stiles was busy laying the groundwork for a delegation of City of London businesses […]
One of the most senior partners in the northern operation of Alsop Wilkinson is leaving to join rivals Garrett & Co. Manchester-based corporate finance lawyer Tim Hamilton has given notice and expects to leave next summer after 11 years with Alsop Wilkinson. “I am looking forward to joining Garrett & Co,” he said. “It will […]
AN EMPLOYMENT lawyer and former international rugby player has set up the first players’ association for the sport to tackle problems arising from the switch to professionalism. Richard Moon, an assistant and head of employment at Leamington firm Blythe Liggins, has set up the Rugby Union Players Association. Moon, who played for England and is […]
One of the most significant changes in the financial services marketplace has been the reduction in the number of advisers. There are now less than 70,000 advisers where five years ago that total exceeded 250,000. This opens up a considerable business opportunity for legal practices to fill the gap. More importantly, legal practices will not […]
LEADING human rights lawyers have called for an immediate judicial inquiry into the 1989 murder of Belfast lawyer Patrick Finucane. In a report released last week, the Law Society’s international human rights working party urges the court to probe the cause of Finucane’s death and examine the possible role played by security forces. The report, […]
Cyril Dixon reports THE IN-HOUSE team at Solihull Council and solicitors from Birmingham firm Martineau Johnson have hammered out terms on a pioneering privatisation venture. They conducted negotiations on a contract to provide day care and home support services for the council’s social services department. Martineau Johnson acted for service providers Family Care Trust in […]
Everyone supports efficiency, but there is only so much that can be saved through that route. This year’s £20 reduction in the practising certificate fee is the result of efficiency savings and a forward-looking property strategy. No doubt further savings will be experienced in 1996, But for real cuts you need to stop doing some […]
Young barristers and pupils are being urged to attend an open meeting this Wednesday about the Bar Council’s proposed new complaints system. Ronald Thwaites QC, head of chambers at 10 King’s Bench Walk, is calling the meeting to explain his rejection of the proposals which he and 150 supporters regard as “flawed, dangerous and anti-Bar”. […]
SOLICITORS throughout the UK have questioned the wisdom of the Scottish Office which last week ended the profession’s exclusive control over conveyancing work. From next autumn, the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board, set up under the Law Reform (Scotland) Act in 1990 and suspended two years later, will resume business. Scottish Office Home Affairs […]