header-logo header-logo

23 July 2009 / Mark Parkhouse , Andrew Jackson
Issue: 7379 / Categories: Opinion , Regulatory , Banking
printer mail-detail

No time for bad law

Pragmatism, not fast law, will help
the UK exit the recession say
Mark Parkhouse & Andrew Jackson

Inadequate banking regulation in the UK has, arguably, led to a shrinking economy, increased unemployment and an increase in business failures. In the wake of the recession, economists are debating whom to blame, where to shift the power, and what tools to use to prevent future failures.

Alistair Darling is sticking by the strengths and weaknesses of the tripartite system. This division of labour allocates responsibilities between the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Bank of England and the Treasury. Each institution has come under criticism for a lack of effective communication prior to the recession, and for not taking sufficient preventative action early enough.

Whereas Mervyn King politely blames the government for the downturn, and appears willing to initiate a campaign for greater centralised power in the Bank of England. Mr King has spoken out over the “extraordinary” budget deficit and the failure of the Treasury to consult with him over reform

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Partner joinscorporate and finance practice in British Virgin Islands

Dawson Cornwell—Naomi Angell

Dawson Cornwell—Naomi Angell

Firm strengthens children department with adoption and surrogacy expert

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Graham Green

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Graham Green

Media and technology expert joins employment team as partner in Cambridge

NEWS
Freezing orders in divorce proceedings can unexpectedly ensnare third parties and disrupt businesses. In NLJ this week, Lucy James of Trowers & Hamlins explains how these orders—dubbed a ‘nuclear weapon’—preserve assets but can extend far beyond spouses to companies and business partners 
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified that ‘rent’ must be monetary—excluding tenants paid in labour from statutory protection. In this week's NLJ, James Naylor explains Garraway v Phillips, where a tenant worked two days a week instead of paying rent
Thousands more magistrates are to be recruited, under a major shake-up to speed up and expand the hiring process
The winners of the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026 have now been announced, marking another outstanding celebration of excellence, innovation, and impact across the legal profession
Three men wrongly imprisoned for a combined 77 years have been released—yet received ‘not a penny’ in compensation, exposing deep flaws in the justice system. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Jon Robins reports on Justin Plummer, Oliver Campbell and Peter Sullivan, whose convictions collapsed amid discredited forensics, ‘oppressive’ police interviews and unreliable ‘cell confessions’
back-to-top-scroll