July 2009 Archives

THE Law Society of England and Wales has taken the unexpected step of warning prospective students against a career in law.

It says it's running an information campaign "to caution people considering a career in law as to the risks in terms of time and cost that this decision carries with it".

A Law Society spokesperson said: "Working closely with the Junior Lawyers Division the Society is looking to inform and educate those considering a career as a solicitor to think long and hard about the commitment it requires to succeed - particularly in the face of increased competition.

YESTERDAY I met leading Liverpool silk David Turner co-head of Exchange Chambers.

Mr Turner, QC, enjoyed four days of public attention last week as the prosecutor in Steven Gerrard's affray trial.

Gerrard was acquitted unanimously by the jury and went on to enjoy a Friday evening of football against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

PERSONAL injury lawyers have given a cautious welcome to the Government's plans to look into tracking down and tracing the former employers and insurers of victims of asbestos-related diseases.

They say the plans will only be worthwhile if they lead to the setting up of an Employer's Liability Insurance Bureau (ELIB).

Thompsons Solicitors, which represents asbestos claimants in Merseyside, says the Tuesday's by Justice Secretary Jack Straw of a review of the system for compensation claims for mesothelioma - the asbestos-related cancer - must focus on ensuring people get compensation even when their previous employers or their liability insurers cannot be traced.

HALLIWELLS has announced plans to roll out a voluntary, flexible working scheme.

"Given the market conditions affecting the transactional side of the business, this is a necessary and sensible step," said Managing Partner, Ian Austin.

A CONSERVATIVE think tank's proposals for a compulsory three-month "cooling off" period before divorce proceedings can start are "completely out of touch with reality", according to a Cheshire family lawyer.

Sandra Sinclair, senior partner with SAS Daniels solicitors says the Every Family Matters report, which was published by the Social Justice Policy Group on Monday, is "deeply patronising". The think tank is led by ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Mr Duncan Smith suggests estranged couples should be required by law to undergo a three-month period before launching divorce proceedings so they can reflect on their marriage and examine the possibility of reconciliation.

A RECENT decision by the High Court which will affect bloggers everywhere was handed by Mr Justice Eady last month.

This was the judge, you may recall, who awarded Max Mosley £60,000 plus costs in his privacy claim against News Group Newspapers, thereby incurring the wrath of many journalists.

Well this time Mr Justice Eady has come down on the side of a newspaper, The Times, after a blogger applied to Court for an injunction restraining the paper from exposing his identity.

HEAD of sports and media at Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson comments on the Guardian's revelations about the News of the World's alleged phone tapping scandal.

"This is a real concern.

"If one of the most powerful media organisations in the world has been hacking into the mobile phone calls of up to three thousand people, simply to 'keep tabs' then, on the face of it, criminal offences appear to have been committed.

"There are a few unusual aspects to this particular case.

I AM often consulted by clients wishing to investigate a potential medical negligence claim due to their frustrations at the failure of medical staff to listen to their concerns they have regarding the care they are or their family are receiving.

I have a client who was in hospital for 3 months and from the 3rd week to the 8th week, he continually complained of pain in his behind.

He was ignored by the medical staff and when someone did listen to him, it was too late, in that he had developed a large pressure sore which he is still being treated for two years later.

THE JACKSON family are world famous for their music, but it's Michael Jackson's lawsuits and civil litigation claims which have kept them in the spotlight in recent years.

A few days ago there was speculation that Michael Jackson hadn't written a will and his parents made a quick application to get control over his estate.

However, Michael Jackson's lawyer, John Branca holds a will that appoints himself and John McCain, a music executive, as co-executors of Michael Jackson's estate.

The highs, lows, dancing and Roger Phillips from Saturday's Crowne Plaza bash. Scores of the city's top barristers and solicitors crammed into the hotel to see who would pick up the Liverpool Law Society's Legal Awards 2009.