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13 September 2012 / David Greene
Issue: 7529 / Categories: Opinion , Legal services
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Six months & counting...

David Greene counts down to the civil justice “Big Bang”

Slowly, slowly, the threads of the Jackson reforms are being entwined but there is much yet to do to determine the final product which is likely to lead to a very busy three months to the end of year when everything has to be in place for implementation by next April. The result is that, at the moment, there remains much uncertainty as to how the product will look. This is of considerable importance to those who trade in the particular areas affected by changes. Further the first sneakings of a potential costs war surrounding the changes are becoming evident.

The changes at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) with the replacement of Ken Clarke by Chris Grayling are unlikely to make much difference to the civil justice reforms. Chris Grayling becomes the first non-lawyer as Lord Chancellor. Possibly a non-lawyer will have less sympathy with the profession and may drive the costs cutting exercise somewhat harder. Interestingly, however, the junior changes are likely to

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Slater Heelis—Probate & Court of Protection team

Slater Heelis—Probate & Court of Protection team

Slater Heelis brings Probate and Court of Protection expertise together with new dedicated team

Clarke Willmott—Antonia Power

Clarke Willmott—Antonia Power

Antonia Power joins Clarke Willmott in Taunton

Haynes Boone—Chris Acton

Haynes Boone—Chris Acton

Chris Acton joins Haynes Boone as chair of UK derivatives platform

NEWS
Civil practitioners face changes spanning debt recovery, workplace harassment and possession claims, alongside guidance on insolvency challenges and children proceedings

Finding matrimonial wealth is as challenging as dividing it, as family disputes draw practitioners into asset tracing, offshore structures and insolvency

Agreement between opponents offers no guarantee that a court will approve a retrospective increase to a costs budget
Climate change belongs on every lawyer’s agenda, with risks extending far beyond environmental practice into commercial advice, litigation and access to justice
Workplace bullying and harassment can no longer be left solely to HR, as financial regulation scrutinises culture, character and fitness
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