Archive

Thousands of part-time judges in line for a pension

Entitlement to retirement pension strengthens judicial independence, adviser says

Legal complaints framework not 'fit for purpose'

A new report for the Legal Ombudsman has called for a review of the right of redress for consumers complaining of poor legal service following concerns that the arrival of alternative business structures into the legal services sector will increase confusion.

Warning to lawyers as LeO secures first fine

Solicitor escapes jail sentence but courts may have 'no option' in future

Clinical negligence update

Dr Jock Mackenzie explores a recent case involving a claimant practitioner's reliance on res ipsa loquitur

Supply and demand

The latest ECJ decision on selective distribution agreements demonstrates a lack of understanding of consumer values, says Paul Stanley NO

False promises

The proposed ban on referral fees is unlikely to bring about the positive changes promised by the government – it will just create hard work for regulators, argues Susanna Heley

Vocation, vocation, vocation

Universities this year saw a record drop of 5.2 per cent in applications to study law. Fees have risen at a time when interest in participating in apprenticeships has also increased – according to a recent report by the Office of National Statistics, 16.6 per cent more people took up apprenticeships in 2009/10 than in the previous year. Meanwhile in the legal market the advent of ABSs serves both to highlight the diversity of legal services offered and to change the models by which these are delivered. In doing so, will there still be a place for the law degree, or will the market be better served by on-the-job training?

Shaky ground

Introducing a new mandatory ground for possession is not an effective way of dealing with anti-social behaviour, say Emily Orme and Sarah Salmon