The Bar

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Bar prepares judicial review to protect criminal fees

The Bar Council has responded to planned cuts in fees for criminal legal aid barristers by threatening the government with a judicial review.

More blue sky thinking

In the second part of its 2010 forecast, Solicitors Journal picks out the areas likely to see some of the more significant changes, considering what practitioners should look out for in crime, local authority, private client and charity law this year

Revised DNA proposals face further opposition

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has attacked the government's revised proposals on the retention of DNA records contained in the Crime and Security Bill.

The deal is done on criminal legal aid

The government has decided to abandon best value tendering as a means of funding criminal legal aid, but is pressing on with cuts in duty solicitor and advocacy fees.

Made to measure

Unless you can prove that non-compliance has caused a measurable increase in costs, it is unlikely that a costs order will be made or any penalty given, warns Francesca Kaye

Blue sky thinking

Divorce, libel reform, discrimination law and legal aid are just a few of the areas likely to experience significant change in 2010. In the first of a two-part special, Solicitors Journal gazes into the crystal ball and picks out the ones to watch out for

Each to their own

By proposing that barristers could set up partnerships, the Bar Standards Board has opened the door to fundamental changes to the way in which the Bar operates, but should chambers rush to embrace the new model, asks Richard Chapman

Glass half full?

The Legal Services Act will provide new opportunities for the delivery of legal advice, but will it improve access to justice, asks James Sandbach