A new fast-track patent service will be launched by the United Kingdom Patent Office next week, slashing months off the time spent on existing procedures. The new service will combine the search and examination processes instead of performing them separately. The Patent Office says this will make it possible in certain cases to obtain a […]
The vice-president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Judge Stephen Schwebel, has been named as one of two new vice-presidents of the Academy of Experts. Judge Schwebel becomes the first American vice-president of the academy.
CITY FIRM Hobson Audley has appointed a hi-tech legal expert in an attempt to capitalise on the booming trade in information technology law. Robert Bond has joined the firm as a partner in the practice’s intellectual property and information technology department. Bond, a specialist in multimedia, leisure software and electronic commercial law, was previously a […]
Parties involved in appeal cases are facing delays of up to 18 months before their cases can be heard, the Court Services Agency admitted last week. The admission came after solicitor Andrew Page was told by the Civil Appeals Office that an appeal on a breach of contract case could not be heard until January […]
FOUR Canadian banks are suing Clifford Chance for damages for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the National Bank of Canada, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and the Royal Bank of Canada have all issued High Court writs through Freshfields against the firm. The claims centre […]
Taking the fight down to the English, is how one Scottish solicitor describes the growth and development of work for some commercial firms in Scotland. More specifically the growth has been reflected in Glasgow-based firm McGrigor Donald’s emergence as Scotland’s largest firm, overtaking Edinburgh-based firm Dundas & Wilson. McGrigors managing partner Niall Scott says this […]
MAJOR law firms have slashed fees by as much as 20 per cent as competition with local and American rivals intensifies, according to a survey. A study released on Friday shows senior lawyers in private practice are, on average, 13.6 per cent cheaper than five years ago. The study was compiled by public relations consultant […]
A CIVIL servant from the Lord Chancellor’s Department was bound, gagged, blindfolded, and kept prisoner by a prostitute while she ransacked his home, it was alleged at the Old Bailey. Richard Dalley, from the information systems section of the court services division, was robbed of over £2,500 plus valuables, according to prosecution claims. Katrina Moseley, […]
DAVID CHARLES WOODMAN, 49, admitted 1977, practised as Woodman Matthews & Co, Forest Gate, London E7, struck off and ordered to pay £642 costs. Allegations substantiated that Woodman, now living in Tenerife, Canary Islands, wrongly drew and used client money and abandoned his practice. Tribunal told bankruptcy order was made against Woodman in November 1991 […]
THE Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) has extended its boundaries to include membership from people working in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Established two years ago ELA already includes more than 550 members in England and Wales and founding chair Janet Gaymer says it is hoped the rule change will bring in additional membership applications. Gaymer, who […]
A Perthshire couple whose son died from Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease has joined the increasing number of litigants to issue writs against the UK Medical Research Council and the Secretary of State for Health. Alexander and Isabella Copland, of Dunblane, are suing in respect of their son Brian, who died from the disease on 16 May 1992 […]
Nabarro Nathanson advised Financial Insurance Group, part of GE Capital, in its taking of 116,000 sq ft at Wimpey’s Vantage West office complex in Brentford, London. The company was advised by its in-house solicitors. Ashurst Morris Crisp advised Wimpey and agents Jones Lang Wooton and Chestertons.