If correctly marketed, the Law Society’s annual ‘Make a Will Week’ could provide many solicitors with instructions for the preparation of wills from existing clients and from new clients. While it is more difficult for the promotional week to have any impact on those few City firms which still prepare wills or on other large […]
The Bar Council has warned Labour against plans for direct access and multi-disciplinary practices for barristers and its threat to refer the legal profession to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC). Bar Council sources said the Bar made clear its support for Labour’s reforms where they were in the public interest. But those reforms could […]
THE Accountability of UK-based multi-national companies to the UK courts for damage caused by subsidiaries in developing countries is both necessary and fair. It is necessary because developing countries do not often have the legal machinery nor the political will to prosecute multi-nationals in civil or criminal law. Furthermore, funding in the form of legal […]
Melvyn v Post Office – QBD 27 July 1995 Claimant: Bernard Melvyn, 50 Accident: Postal worker hit by sacks of mail Injuries: Plaintiff sustained back injuries after being hit by six sacks of mail thrown down a chute at a depot Award: Agreed damages of £12,500 Judge: Sir Michael Ogden QC Plaintiff’s solicitors: Simpson Millar […]
Last week, the president of the Law Society accused our industrial tribunals of collaborating in a “racket”. This accusation, if true, would be a serious indictment of our system of justice. Fortunately, it is not true, indeed it is rooted in a profound misunderstanding of the issues and presents a deeply distorted picture. Martin Mears […]
Claire Shaw is an assistant solicitor with Burton Copeland. She was born in Stockport, Cheshire, in 1965 and now lives in London. What was your first job? Silver service waitress complete with red crimplene waistcoat. What was your first ever salary as a lawyer? £10,000. What would you have done if you hadn’t become a […]
I see. It’s the president (of the Law Society) now, is it? Why not martin mears as well? Would that not show suitable disrespect. Or the lord chancellor even? Now I can agree with that one. Presumably all this indicates what a trendy, upbeat publication yours is – unlike the Gazette which still sadly writes […]
The whole situation concerning foreign lawyers opening offices in India is somewhat alarming for the practice of international law. (The Lawyer 19 September) It seems that in many cases developing countries want international financial backing to build up their infrastructure but are not prepared to offer those providing the finance their choice of legal advisers. […]
The recent Which? survey on solicitors, for all its failings, has some valid points. The question of costs is one which the profession still has to come to grips with although there has been much improvement on this score since the Law Society introduced its guidelines. However, there is much room for manoeuvre and firms […]
Richard Bagley (‘What’s in Mears’ title?’ The Lawyer 10 October), in calling for a five-year executive presidency for the Law Society, misses the essential point that the post is (and indeed Mr Mears was) democratically elected. The secretary general carries out policy, the president is crucial to its formulation. The two roles are quite distinct. […]
John Malpas reports A FORMER dentist is among the four latest recruits to Birmingham’s 5 Fountain Court set. Nageena Khalique (pictured second left) has joined the set’s personal injury and medical negligence section after completing 12 month’s pupillage. The other three new tenants to join Fountain were also former pupils. They are (left to right) […]
John Malpas reports Women barristers on the western circuit are being invited to join a branch group of the Association of Women Barristers. The new Western Regional Group of the association is being set up by barrister Helen Fields of 18 Carlton Crescent in Southampton. “The AWB organises very interesting events but it is difficult […]