MINNEAPOLIS-based Commercial Law Affiliates, the world’s largest law firm network, claims to be the first lawyers’ association to develop a “peer review programme” as an alternative to using costly management consultants. Under the procedure, an organisation or individual is reviewed, examined or graded by members of their profession. The purpose is to provide a management […]
City firm Biddle & Co, advised by design consultancy The Partners, has shortened its name to Biddle, introduced a new blue and red look to all its stationery and promotional literature, as well refurbishing its reception and meeting rooms.
CONDITIONAL fees look set to be laid before Parliament soon after Easter despite a string of complaints about the draft rules by key advisers to the Lord Chancellor. Lord Mackay is taking another look at his controversial “no win no fee” proposals after the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct (Aclec) expressed […]
THE SUCCESSFUL appeal of a man who studied neurology in prison to prove he was innocent of a child’s murder highlighted the urgent need for changes in the system of expert witnesses, according to leading defence QC Michael Mansfield. Kevin Callan was freed by the Court of Appeal earlier this month after it accepted that […]
Preparations for the Law Society’s National Law Week (starting 22 May) are building up, with increasing numbers of local societies adding their names to the list of participants. Events include a stand by Manchester Law Society with a rota of solicitors giving free advice, a special legal advice centre for the Afro-Caribbean community run by […]
A MAJOR review of external legal services is under way at British Gas which will result in millions of pounds worth of legal work up for tender this summer. Some of the City’s top firms which already act for British Gas on a project-by-project basis are likely to be invited to participate, as well as […]
ROGER Lancaster has succeeded Clive Garston as senior partner of Manchester firm Halliwell Landau, one of the leading corporate law practices in the North West. The move follows a 12-year reign with Garston at the helm of the firm during which Halliwell Landau has grown from “a small firm in Manchester to one of the […]
Cardiff firm Morgan Bruce is sponsoring a dinner to raise funds for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Welsh National Opera. The dinner, to be held at London’s Inter-Continental Hotel on 19 April, will feature a performance from soloist Rebecca Evans and WNO musical director Carlo Rizzi. The dinner is the first in a series […]
A FORMER partner in City firm Malkin Janners, which is in the final stages of winding up, has failed in a High Court damages claim against fellow partners. The case spotlighted questions of travel expenses being used by partners for personal rather than business travel. Mr Justice Carnwath dismissed the action brought by Robert Hurst […]
Legal outplacement agency PCM will present a lecture on career options at the Law Society on 25 April. The lecture, organised by the London Young Solicitors’ Group, will include a speech from PCM’s Charles Glass on alternative careers for lawyers dealing with unforeseen career changes and the use of psychometric testing for the assessment of […]
OVER a dozen lawyers will feature in a Top 200 survey of prominent lesbians and gay men commissioned by Gay Times to celebrate its 200th issue in May. Compiler of the law section, Angus Hamilton, himself a gay solicitor, says the task was “nigh on impossible”. His final choice is: Angela Mason, director of Stonewall, […]
Bill Trump (centre), the senior partner of Bristol-based Trump & Partners, has retired 33 years after taking charge of the firm at the age of 22. His place is being taken by David Simpson (left), who has been with the firm for more than 25 years. At a special reception held for Trump, the retiring […]