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01 January 2009
Issue: 7350+7351 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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Lawyers top league in bid for survival

Profession

Law firms are leading the way in trying to lessen the impact of the credit crunch and the recession on their businesses, a new poll shows.
Bridging Finance Limited, which contacted over 3,000 businesses in the north west, says the legal sector has been the most proactive in protecting themselves during the economic downturn.
Nearly 60% of the legal firms polled said they had shed staff in the midterm quarter, prior to the November 2008 survey. The results also showed that legal firms are the most likely to review their credit control procedures. However, over 80% of the legal fi rms taking part reported that their plans for funding staff development had not altered.
Meanwhile, law firms facing imminent tax deadlines have been thrown a lifeline. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has agreed arrangements, proposed by the Law Society, for law firms to defer paying tax during the economic downturn. The arrangements will be managed through HMRC’s Business Support Service, and cover most tax and excise duties including income tax, corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and national insurance.

Issue: 7350+7351 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

42BR Barristers—4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers—4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers to be joined by leading family law set, 4 Brick Court, this summer

Winckworth Sherwood—Rubianka Winspear

Winckworth Sherwood—Rubianka Winspear

Real estate and construction energy offering boosted by partner hire

Gateley Legal—Daniel Walsh

Gateley Legal—Daniel Walsh

Firm bolsters real estate team with partner hire in Birmingham

NEWS
A wave of housing and procedural reforms is set to test the limits of tribunal capacity. In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold charts sweeping change as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 begins biting
Plans to reduce jury trials risk missing the real problem in the criminal justice system. Writing in NLJ this week, David Wolchover of Ridgeway Chambers argues the crown court backlog is fuelled not by juries but weak cases slipping through a flawed ‘50%’ prosecution test
Emerging technologies may soon transform how courts determine truth in deeply personal disputes. In this week's NLJ, Madhavi Kabra of 1 Hare Court and Harry Lambert of Outer Temple Chambers explore how neurotechnology could reshape family law
A controversial protest case has reignited debate over the limits of free expression. In NLJ this week, Nicholas Dobson examines a Quran-burning incident testing public order law
The courts have drawn a firm line under attempts to extend arbitration appeals. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed of the University of Leicester highlights that if the High Court refuses permission under s 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, that is the end
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