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10 November 2017 / Stephen Gold
Issue: 7769 / Categories: Features , Civil way
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Civil way: 10 November 2017

Webchat with HMCTS. Look, no PD! Another lessee bonus. Killing off the relatives.

 

LITIGANT CHAT UP LINES

‘Thanks for explaining. I now know I can participate in the hearing from a telephone kiosk with my pet rhinoceros accompanying me.’

‘So long as you have a licence, John. Now can we help you with anything else today—an online divorce, probate application, lasting power of attorney, bankruptcy application, complaint perhaps?’

‘Not today.’

‘Then would you like to participate in a short survey which will take no longer than 10 minutes and will qualify you for a free draw for a night out with the chief of HMCTS and a bottle of Prosecco?’

HMCTS has announced that for those comfortable using online services who might have a question about process, they will be providing webchat. This will connect the user with an officer (I mean a team member) via a window on the computer screen where they can message each other. The necessary technology is in place and they are working on how

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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