Criminal Defence Service Direct (CDS Direct), the Legal Services Commission’s (LSC’s) telephone advice service for suspects held in police stations, is to be expanded.
The Association of Law Costs Draftsmen (ALCD) is now authorised to grant fellow members the right to conduct litigation and rights of audience.
Overseas legal assistance is to receive a major boost with the advent of a new initiative, the Justice Assistance Network.
Last week’s article by Aidan Eardley on libel tourism questioned whether the European Parliament’s proposals concerning defamation and privacy claims would survive in the final Rome II Regulation (see NLJ, 18 May 2007, p 686).
Ministerial responsibilities at the Ministry of Justice have been divided up.
Crown court cases are to be completed within 16 weeks in future, as part of a programme of reform initiated by court staff.
Law firms are being challenged by Justice Minister Bridget Prentice to publish their diversity figures, showing their commitment to opening up the profession to people from all backgrounds
Fixed rates have been set for medical agency fees and disbursements, following the withdrawal of the Wollard v Fowler appeal.
In brief
The Law Society is threatening legal action against the Legal Services Commission (LSC) over its plans to introduce tendering for very high cost cases (VHCCs).
Commercial firm strengthens real estate disputes team with associate hire
Firm appoints three directors to board
Six promoted to partner and one to legal director across UK and Ireland offices