Issues

In brief: New Birmingham office for Eversheds

NatWest Group has pre-let 80,000 sq ft of office space in Birmingham to Eversheds. The space is the first phase of the redevelopment of the city’s Colmore Centre. The firm, which is already a tenant of NatWest in the centre, will move into the building on completion of the development in 1998. The demolition of […]

Bullish market for commercial work

LAW firms are seeing a sharp increase in commercial work in contrast to legally aided or private client work. Nearly half the firms surveyed in accountants Grant Thornton’s 1995 Solicitors’ Inter Firm Comparison found that 1995 was more buoyant than previous years. Over a quarter of firms (28 per cent) saw a decline in legal […]

In brief: Biddle & Co handles libel writ

Biddle & Co is acting for Frank Dick, former British Athletics Federation director of coaching, in a libel and slander action against The Sunday Times. The firm is claiming damages and an injunction against the paper and former sprinter Drew McMaster over an article about the supply of anabolic steroids.

Litigation Disciplinary Tribunals 07/11/95

James Edward Walker, 49, admitted 1972, practised at material times on own account in Theale, Reading, Berkshire, struck off and ordered to pay £675 costs. Allegation substantiated he was jailed for three years at Southwark Crown Court on 8 November 1994, after being convicted of conspiracy to use false instruments and two counts of conspiracy […]

Defending legal territory

The long summer vacation is a good time to sneak out bad news. While French lawyers were on their yachts, a decree was passed on 15 August denying business graduates access to legal studies, thanks to lobbying by hard-core traditional lawyers. This will mean only those with a first degree in law can go on […]

Firm adopts ADR for practice disputes

POTENTIAL disputes among the top ranks at Baker & McKenzie will be resolved through alternative dispute resolution rather than in the courts after the firm voted to alter its partnership agreement. The change comes after partners showed preliminary support for the proposal at the firm’s annual partnership meeting in Chicago last month. Partners across the […]

Official link ties lawyers with police

FORTY lawyers have signed up for a new UK network aimed at practitioners who advise police forces and authorities. The Association of Police Lawyers was officially launched last month after operating on an informal basis for eight years. Chris Porteous, solicitor for the Metropolitan Police, has been named president, John Kilbey, West Midlands Police solicitor, […]

Litigation Recent Decisions 07/11/95

Landlord’s appeal for breach of repairing covenant British Telecommunications v Sun Life Assurance Society (1995). CA (Nourse LJ, Roch LJ and Hutchison LJ) 28/7/95. Summary: Landlord’s duty under a repairing covenant where a defect occurs not in the demised premises themselves but in the building of which the demised premises form part. Defendant landlord’s appeal […]

Litigation Writs 07/11/95

National Lottery organisers Camelot Group is being sued for damages over its refusal to allow a company to become a lottery retailer. RG Elms and Sons, of Hillingdon, Middlesex, has issued a writ claiming damages for breach of alleged contract last November. It claims that under the contract it was to become a lottery retailer. […]

Goldsmith to examine globalisation

BAR leader Peter Goldsmith QC will chair a new International Bar Association steering group examining the globalisation of law. Initiated by IBA president Professor Ross Harper, the group, which also includes former president of the American Bar Association William Ide III and current chair of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of the European […]

Scots go to Europe

A 20-member Scottish delegation, including the president and vice-president of the Law Society of Scotland, will visit the European institutions and the UK’s Brussels-based Permanent Representation Unit later this month. The two-day visit, to be held on St Andrew’s Day and 1 December, is the third in a series organised by the joint Brussels office […]

IP specialists join forces with Boodles

THE TWO-PARTNER practice set up by intellectual property expert David Llewelyn last year is signing up with West End firm Boodle Hatfield. Llewelyn, who left McKenna & Co with Clive Zietman to launch Llewelyn Zietman, said the association would give his practice more clients and resources. He added Llewelyn Zietman would benefit from additional clients […]