PRESIDENT Charles Elly writes: “I still think that the profession is best served by a continuity of the presidency. I would prefer to see an election for deputy vice-president which ensures time to prepare for the job. But we have an election this year and I hope we shall all use our vote. The profession […]
Lord Williams of Mostyn hosted a National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) reception for senior lawyers and judges last week. The reception aimed to raise awareness of the NSPCC’s Justice for Children campaign and the charity’s Child Witness Support programme, where staff prepare children for court and provide support during trials.
The demerger of East Anglian practice Birkett Westhorp & Long has resulted in two firms bearing the name Birkett. One offshoot, Birkett Long, will operate from offices in Colchester and Halstead. The other, Birkett’s, will work from a base in Ipswich.
Linda Tsang reports ‘Havers’ Companion to the Bar’, Lawtel and Microsoft have joined forces for a special offer which entitles purchasers of Havers to a free 30-day trial of Lawtel, the database for all aspects of legal work. If a Lawtel subscription is taken up, the package includes Microsoft Word 6.0. Firm opts for SolCase […]
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Paul Keating has announced a four-year A$160 million strategy to reform the country’s legal system to “bring justice to the people, not people to lawyers”. The scheme aims to provide families with the means to resolve disputes outside formal legal processes and A$54m will be allocated to expanding family services, including increased […]
Norfolk sweet manufacturers Sultans has launched a damages claim after a batch of Turkish delight was turned into a Turkish disaster by a fire. Sultans of Burrell Way, Thetford, Norfolk, is suing JJ and JA Humphry who trade as Cross Country Carriers of Elm Drive, Hessett, Bury St Edmunds for more than £750,000 compensation after […]
Nabarro Nathanson acted for property group Clarke Nickolls & Coombs in its renewing of a letting agreement with the Department of the Environment for 52,780 sq ft in several buildings in Washington, Tyne & Wear. Combined rents total £335,000 pa, an increase of £85,000.
John Malpas A CONDITIONAL fees seminar has been organised for barristers and clerks by an enterprising solicitor who claims the Manchester Bar is “way behind” in its understanding of the issue. The controversial new “no win no fee” agreement laid before Parliament by the Lord Chancellor shortly after Easter will have a major impact on […]
With their local authorities facing an estimated bill of millions of pounds for litigation and for planning enquiries, residents in the Manchester area have good cause to breathe a sigh of relief over the tactics adopted by their civic leaders in a recent planning battle. The case, the subject of a recent ruling by the […]
Agricultural land qualifying for tax relief Starke and anor v Inland Revenue Commissioners (1994). (CA (Stuart-Smith LJ, Morritt LJ, Ward LJ) 19/5/95). Summary: Farmhouse and buildings do not qualify for inheritance tax relief as agricultural property under s.116 Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (formerly Capital Transfer Tax Act 1984). Appeal from decision summarised below holding that […]
Fiona Woolf Mention electricity and Fiona Woolf’s eyes light up. The woman rumoured to be McKenna & Co’s top fee-earner reels off a list of projects in parts of the world which would test the mettle of the most avid cartographer. When she agreed to get married four years ago, her husband thought he was […]