Defendants have been left unrepresented in courts after solicitors across the country voted not to take new cases at “derisory” rates when the second tranche of 8.75% fee cuts was introduced at the beginning of July, according to reports in Counsel magazine. The protest action followed a ballot of two special interest groups, the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association and London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, whose members voted overwhelmingly to refuse new cases after 1 July.
16 July 2015
Court chaos escalates
MOVERS & SHAKERS
EIP—Stuart Malcolm
EIP strengthens Commercial practice with a new partner
Ellisons—Francesca Brown
Ellisons welcomes Francesca Brown to Family team
Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke
Shakespeare Martineau strengthens Sheffield regulatory practice with new hires
NEWS
A wide-ranging Civil Way column highlights developments from insolvency procedure to employment law, but one case stands out for its lessons on bankruptcy, family homes and digital communications
A sprawling Intellectual Property Office battle between House of Fraser and Frasers Property has delivered a masterclass in modern trade mark law
Courts in England and Wales and Singapore are increasingly confronting complex disputes over international child relocation as families become more globally mobile
The government’s long-awaited family law reform consultation could mark a turning point for domestic abuse victims navigating financial remedy proceedings, but significant challenges remain
A new commercial court pilot giving the public access to documents used in hearings, including expert reports, is raising difficult questions about transparency and privacy
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