Keep calm and carry on: BSB finds no evidence of “widespread change” at the Bar – Legal Futures

Posted May 31st, 2017 in barristers, fees, legal services, news by sally

‘Widespread change” is yet to happen at the Bar, with only a small minority of barristers planning to change the way they work or charge fees, a report for the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has found.’

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Legal Futures, 31st May 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

CoA right to take stern line on McKenzie friend concept, solicitors say – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 31st, 2017 in appeals, litigation friends, McKenzie friends, news by sally

‘A Court of Appeal judgment that discouraged use of the term ‘McKenzie friend’ and described the bad experiences that some court users have had with unqualified advisers has met mixed views from the profession.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 26th May 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

High Court strikes out negligence claim against private client firm – Legal Futures

Posted May 31st, 2017 in law firms, limitations, negligence, news, striking out, trusts by sally

The High Court has struck out a negligence claim against London private client specialists Harcus Sinclair on the grounds that it was statute-barred.

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Legal Futures, 31st May 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UK wrong to deny residency rights in test case, EU’s legal adviser says – The Guardian

Posted May 31st, 2017 in citizenship, EC law, immigration, married persons, news by sally

‘The Home Office was wrong to deny the Algerian husband of a dual British-Spanish citizen the right to live with her in the UK, according to the initial opinion of the European court of justice’s advocate general in a test case.’

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The Guardian, 30th May 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Fixed Term Parliaments Act – OUP Blog

Posted May 31st, 2017 in elections, news, parliament, time limits by sally

‘Was there ever a more hollow and impotent piece of legislation than the UK’s Fixed Term Parliaments Act? Trumpeted by the Conservative-led coalition as a way of stopping opportunist prime ministers ever again calling snap elections to capitalize on hefty poll leads – by complicating simple confidence votes in ways that prompted Labour to condemn it as a constitutional “stitch-up” – within six short years of receiving Royal Assent it has proved itself wholly incapable of doing any such thing. When it suited David Cameron to build a protective cordon around his unholy alliance with the Liberal Democrats, the Act was a useful confection: a road-block solid enough to stop either partner provoking an early return to the polls, by swerving out of the ministerial motorcade in a petulant huff. But the fact it could be so casually swept aside as soon as the Tories’ stars were back in the ascendancy – like a trifling traffic cone in the residents’ parking bay otherwise reserved for them outside Number 10 Downing Street – shows it wasn’t worth the statute-book it was written on. We should repeal this zombie law at the earliest opportunity.’

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OUP Blog, 31st May 2017

Source: blog.oup.com

Judge mugged at champagne bottle-point by thief who demanded kiss goodbye, court hears – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 31st, 2017 in burglary, judges, news, robbery by sally

‘High Court judge was mugged at champagne bottle-point by a thief who then demanded a kiss goodbye, a court has heard.’

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Daily Telegraph, 30th May 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Crowdfunded legal challenge over article 50 abandoned – The Guardian

Posted May 31st, 2017 in brexit, EC law, news, referendums, treaties by sally

‘A crowdfunded legal challenge to test whether Brexit can be reversed has been abandoned.’

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The Guardian, 30th May 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Trojan Horse’: Cases against teachers dropped – BBC News

Posted May 31st, 2017 in disclosure, inquiries, Islam, news, professional conduct, teachers, witnesses by sally

‘The case against five senior teachers accused of professional misconduct in the so-called “Trojan Horse” inquiry has been dropped.’

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BBC News, 30th May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Electronic bill of costs compulsory from October – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 31st, 2017 in costs, electronic filing, news by sally

‘Solicitors should brace themselves for a major change in the way litigation costs are worked out when a new electronic bill of costs becomes compulsory.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 26th May 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Rolf Harris trial: Jury discharged as no verdicts reached – BBC News

Posted May 31st, 2017 in juries, news, sexual offences, trials, verdicts by sally

‘Former entertainer Rolf Harris has been cleared of four sex assault charges after a jury could not reach verdicts.’

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BBC News, 30th May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Online courts take the stage – New Law Journal

Posted May 31st, 2017 in civil procedure rules, courts, electronic filing, news by sally

‘Masood Ahmed & Claire Pennells consider pre-action protocols & the Briggs online court.’

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New Law Journal, 19th May 2017

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Man cleared of murder after cutting wife’s throat during argument – The Guardian

Posted May 31st, 2017 in domestic violence, murder, news by sally

‘A husband has been cleared of murdering his wife after she “flipped like the Hulk” during an argument.’

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The Guardian, 30th May 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Internment: Could it help fight terrorism? – BBC News

Posted May 31st, 2017 in detention, news, terrorism by sally

‘In the wake of the Manchester suicide bomb attack a former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has called for the reintroduction of internment camps.’

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BBC News, 30th May 2017

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Willpower & determination – New Law Journal

‘Paola Fudakowska & Henrietta Mason provide a wills & probate update.’

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New Law Journal, 19th May 2017

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

To mediate or not to mediate? – New Law Journal

Posted May 30th, 2017 in arbitration, costs, news by sally

‘Catriona Stewart discusses the possible cost consequences of delayed or abandoned mediation attempts.’

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New Law Journal, 19th May 2017

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Conveyancing: time to modernise & move on – New Law Journal

Posted May 30th, 2017 in case management, conveyancing, news by sally

‘Succeeding in today’s market requires expertise, investment & a touch of excellence, says Peter Ambrose.’

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New Law Journal, 26th May 2017

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Court of Appeal dismisses challenge to rules on Adult Dependent Relatives – Free Movement

Posted May 30th, 2017 in appeals, elderly, families, immigration, news, regulations by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has dismissed the challenge brought by campaign group Britcits to the restrictive Immigration Rules on the admission to the UK of parents, grandparents and other adult dependent relatives. The case is BRITCITS v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 368.’

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Free Movement, 30th May 2017

Source: www.freemovement.org.uk

Bar rolls out shared parental leave scheme – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 30th, 2017 in barristers, consultations, news, parental rights, self-employment by sally

‘Barristers’ chambers will be required to allow self-employed members to take up to a year’s parental leave under a policy approved by the Bar Standards Board yesterday.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 26th May 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

LPP: handle with care – New Law Journal

Posted May 30th, 2017 in appeals, legal profession, news, privilege by sally

‘Erosion of privilege—are we at the thin end of the wedge, asks David Owen.’

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New Law Journal, 19th May 2017

Source: www.newlawjournal.co.uk

Defamation cases slump to nine-year low – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 30th, 2017 in defamation, internet, legislation, news, statistics by sally

‘The number of reported defamation cases in the UK is at the lowest level since 2008/9, partly due to the Defamation Act 2013, according to research published today.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 30th May 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk