THIRTY-SEVEN Egyptian lawyers have been arrested, following the death in custody of Abd Madani, a well-known defence lawyer for Islamists. Madani’s detention began in April, although no specific charges were laid and he was not brought before any judicial authority. During questioning by police he was rushed to the Qasr Aini Hospital and found to […]
THIS YEAR’S top-up renewal season looks like being a much quieter affair, without the massive rate rise the insurance market managed to impose last year. The insurance market seems to be back to its old amorphous self with no one quite sure how it will pan out on rates and terms. The trend seems to […]
Objection, your honour! Over-ruled! Whatever your feelings about courtroom drama, lawyers hit the screens in a big way this month. A special season of legally-themed movies is being shown by Sky. The case opens with the British television premiere of ‘A Few Good Men’ starring Tom Cruise and Demi Moore, at the end of next […]
MORTGAGE lenders have revealed their plans for the future of conveyancing in advance of the results of the Law Society’s review. If the society opts for separate representation nearly half of lenders will consider bringing the work in-house. And even if separate representation is not introduced, more than 90 per cent of lenders will restrict […]
DAVIES Arnold Cooper is to close its offices in Hong Kong and Brussels. Instead, the firm is to build links with local firms. Partner Nicholas Bradley will work with an unnamed Belgian firm which employs 17 lawyers. “We will be able to offer better services to clients in Belgium,” says spokesman Hamish Munro. “We will […]
Sole practitioner Felicity White has joined the matrimonial department of 47-fee earner firm Russell-Cooke, Potter & Chapman. The department is headed by partner Madeleine Parker, who has three assistants. White has become a consultant. The department operates from offices in Kingston and Lincoln’s Inn. The news means the end of FJ White & Co, which […]
SCHEMES designed to help solicitors with the renewal of professional indemnity cover have been established by two insurance operations. The plans, set up by Christchurch Holdings’ newly-established subsidiary company Christchurch Professional Indemnity and Windsor Insurance Brokers, will benefit firms which are due to renew their top-up insurance next month. Windsor’s new Justice Insurance Plan is […]
BARRISTERS could be given a new duty to make sure unscrupulous solicitors do not cheat clients under the new conditional fees’ scheme The duty means they will have to advise lay clients on the suitability of conditional fees in all circumstances and is likely to be contained in Bar Council guidelines to be issued to […]
TOP US securities’ lawyer Robert Schreiner has left Kelley, Drye and Warren to join Watson, Farley & Williams’ New York office. The move is part of Watson Farley’s expansion plans for the New York securities’ division. The office plans to recruit Americans in preference to British lawyers. It has not yet been decided how many […]
I FEEL I must write on the subject of franchising. Having been subjected to fellow practitioners’ evangelical ramblings on the equally abhorrent subject of BS5750, I must call for my colleagues to open their eyes to the spurious debate on ‘quality’. My partner and I have practised for some 25 years from a small office […]
Brian Capstick, 46, was born in Upton on Severn. His firm, Capsticks, is recognised as one of the premier NHS firms in the country and it has produced a risk management software package. He lives in London. What was your first job? Delivery boy What was your first ever salary as a lawyer? u600 pa […]
Chester-based practice Walker Smith & Way is implementing new debt collection software. The firm has taken on Norwel’s package, following its previous purchase of the company’s practice management system last year. The practice plans to take on E-mail and network fax facilities. ACE is to supply Bath firm Thrings & Long with a new sys- […]