One in five solicitors advising suspects at police stations believe the chances of miscarriages of justice have “increased a lot” with the abolition of the unconditional right to silence, according to a poll commissioned by The Lawyer. And while more than half of the 204 solicitors polled believe the danger of miscarriages of justice have […]
Having advised local authorities both from within the service as a former assistant senior and chief officer and now in private practice, it is clear that maintaining a core legal service within local authorities is vital. Whatever the management structure of a local authority, the role of the local government lawyer both on specific matters, […]
LLOYD’S of London’s first-ever auction of places on syndicates has proved a major success for the corporation’s lawyers. The auctions resulted in £246 million of syndicate capacity being traded for a total value of £4.2 million. The legal team, led by in-house solicitor Tim Cargill, spent six months building a unique auction mechanism. Cargill was […]
Our table of Midland firms (The Lawyer 4 April) omitted George Green & Co of Cradley Heath, which has 34 fee earners. Also missed out was Leamington Spa’s Blythe Liggins with 29 fee earners. In the same survey Wragge & Co’s principal areas of work should have included commercial property at 27 per cent.
A POLICEMAN has been awarded “substantial” damages in what is believed to be the first action for libel brought over material transmitted by electronic mail. PC David Eggleton reached an out-of-court settlement with the supermarket chain Asda over a description of him which was circulated between its stores. The circular went out after the crime […]
Law firms and unions have urged the Home Secretary to reconsider his plans to re-impose a tariff system under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme following a landmark decision which ruled it unlawful. Trades Union Council general secretary John Monks has written to Michael Howard saying there should be proper discussions on the subject and a […]
LAW Society presidential candidate Henry Hodge is among the speakers signed to address this year’s annual Young Solicitors’ Group conference. The Quality of Life conference, being held in Nottingham next month, will cover topics including discrimination, sabbaticals, stress and managing and motivating lawyers. Staged in conjunction with the Association of Women Solicitors, the Group for […]
Surrey-based Marshalls has joined a national networking organisation for lawyers. The firm, which has offices in Godalming and Woking, is now part of the Nationwide Independent Solicitor Group. Partner Sara Coate says the firm can make use of the network’s French links and conveyancing strengths. “It is imperative that when buying abroad, one takes full […]
A LEADING group of left-wing lawyers is launching a campaign to revolutionise the legal system’s approach to justice. The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers says it will use Justice 2000 to fight for a fairer application of the law by analysing areas in which it affects people’s lives. It has organised a series of meetings […]
The International Bar Association will hold its 12th annual seminar on International Financial Law in Milan next month. The seminar, which runs from 10-13 May, will include presentations on project finance, new Euro-market products, bank guarantees and other on-demand payment instruments. For further information contact the IBA on 0171 629 1206.
THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered a full internal report after “obvious” errors by the Crown Prosecution Service caused the collapse of the trial of a prisoner accused of making an airborne escape bid. Recorder David Elfer QC told Southampton Crown Court it would be an abuse of process to try Graham Jones, […]
Birmingham-based Wragge & Co has appointed a trade mark agent to its intellectual property group. Susan Evans joins the firm with a brief which includes expanding international business. She has previously worked for pharmaceutical giant Fisons, and in private practice and is an affiliate member of the Institute of Trade Mark Agents.