MOVING The Guardian’s cash-for-questions libel action to Parliament could be a “very intelligent” solution to current problems involved in staging the trial in the High Court, a leading libel lawyer says. The libel case revolves around an action against the newspaper by Tory MP Neil Hamilton and political lobbyist Ian Greer. Anthony Julius, head of […]
HOOVER has failed in its latest attempt to fight a multi-million pound compensation claim from customers who say they were “duped” by the company in its free flights promotion. The appeal by Hoover to the St Helens County Court was dismissed by Judge Peter Urquhart who found in favour of claimants. Urquhart supported a decision […]
THE JUDICIAL Studies Board is to appoint two circuit judges to share the newly created post of director of studies, in a bid to bolster its training role. Lord Chancellor Lord Mackay announced the move last Monday. He praised the board and its five committees for devoting their own time to developing the board’s work. […]
Partner Tom Winsor is heading back to City firm Denton Hall after the end of his two-year stint at the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR). Winsor, an expert on rail privatisation and regulatory affairs, was first chief legal adviser and then general counsel to the rail regulator while at ORR. Back at the firm […]
Peter Lane’s continued involvement in Green Form is a reminder to the authorities that their vision of an ideal free aid and advice service has yet to be realised. Nobody now denies that the system, reliant upon the honesty of the solicitors who use it, has been exploited in ways ranging from clear fraud to […]
THE GOVERNMENT faces further opposition from lawyers to its Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill following the earlier debacle when it was ruled unlawful by the Lords. Two senior practitioners have identified outstanding criticisms of the tariff-based scheme in separate briefing papers on the revised proposals. Andrew Dismore of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, and Suzanne […]
Roger Pearson reports on a ruling over classification societies which could impact shipping law A recent House of Lords decision on classification societies and their legal liability has pushed the subject to the top of agenda in shipping and commercial circles. The ruling came on a preliminary issue over classification society liability which had never […]
BEXLEY Council will foot the £35,000 bill for its legal action to enforce planning restrictions at the headquarters of the far-right British National Party. The council’s case was presented at the inquiry by John Howell QC, instructed by the council’s chief solicitor Leyland Birch, and his number two, principal solicitor Bob Posner. A council spokesman […]
Mr Justice Jonathan Parker, the vice-chancellor of the County Palatine, is calling on lawyers to contact his clerk for matters needing a Chancery Judge in northern England. He says if a matter “can be identified as justifying a hearing by a Chancery High Court judge, arrangements can be made for the attendance of a Chancery […]
A book written to give solicitors crucial information on the environmental obligations and liabilities of their clients has been written by College of Law senior lecturer Trevor Hellawell. The manual – entitled ‘The Law Society’s Environmental Law Handbook’- explains the various effects of environmental law, including the Environment Act. The book is available through the […]
Bevan Ashford placed the Old English Pub Company on to the Alternative Investment Market.
Splitting from a law firm at a senior level is “a bit like getting divorced,” according to one partner who recently joined a rival practice. “It is a risk but if you suss out that the people in the new firm share the same goals and ideas, it can work out very well.” For those […]