Issue number 7329

Looking beyond the horizon
The service provided by the Law Society's complaints handling arm—the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)—to consumers and the profession has improved over the last three years. This is in the large part the result of them working to the targets that I set and improvement plans I have required. More acknowledgement letters are now sent within five working days, more consumers are receiving regular updates on how their case is progressing, and more complaints are dealt with (and closed) in under a year. This is good news for the consumer—but importantly also for the profession who pays for this service.
11 Jul 2008

The NLJ Column
The excellent Legal Services Research Centre (LSRC) of the Legal Services Commission held its biannual conference in the imposing setting of Greenwich Naval College at the end of June. Major topics of concern were the pursuit of quality and the identification of need for advice. One issue screamed its absence, however: research into future plans for controlling the legal aid budget—in particular, the introduction of competitive tendering.
11 Jul 2008

At our expense
Forensic accountancy techniques could be put to good use in assessing the validity of MPs' expenses, says Rakesh Kapila
11 Jul 2008

Easing the burden
Susan Knox outlines the advantages of electronic disclosure in EU litigation
11 Jul 2008

Strike out the bullies
Those who intimidate witnesses at employment tribunal proceedings could face serious consequences. Sarah Fitzpatrick and Elisabeth Griffiths report
11 Jul 2008

Cutting out the complications
The original purpose of arbitration was to provide a simple, quick and cost-effective method (outside the formality of the court system) for resolving commercial disputes. The attraction of arbitration for international commercial disputes was mainly driven by the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the NY Convention) which has given arbitration awards (unlike court judgments) almost global enforceability.
11 Jul 2008

When science doesn't meet the law
The absence of forensic skills in the legal profession needs to be addressed, says Carole McCartney
11 Jul 2008

Sole searching
A recent Court of Appeal decision on sole agency agreements will come as a blow to estate agents, says Michael Wilkinson
11 Jul 2008

Playing the Pied Piper
Uttoxeter. This was the small market town in Staffordshire to which I made my first journey on behalf of the firm. Rather a disappointment: I expected a Roman fort but there was no sign of its early history.
11 Jul 2008

City law firms hit by credit crunch
The credit crunch is hitting some heavyweight UK and US firms hard, according to new figures.
11 Jul 2008

Witness anonymity Bill rushed through by Straw
Emergency legislation to allow witnesses to give evidence in court anonymously has been rushed before Parliament by justice secretary, Jack Straw.
11 Jul 2008

Settlement procedure for cartel cases adopted
A new settlement procedure for cartel cases has been introduced by the European Commission. Under the new regime, the parties in a cartel investigation may acknowledge their breach of European antitrust law and waive certain procedural rights in exchange for a 10% reduction of the fine.
11 Jul 2008