http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/ Aimed at legal professionals, The Legal Week is the Liverpool Daily Post’s essential news and information resource for the region en Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:48:25 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss A MERSEYSIDE law firm has set up a dedicated political unit after taking on a large number of libel cases involving politicians and activists. Kirwans Solicitors, which has offices in Liverpool and Wirral, made the move after acting in six such cases in six months. They say more are in the pipeline. The new team is headed by defamation expert Michael Sandys, who is also a partner and head of Kirwans' commercial team. He is supported by senior partner David Kirwan, Wirral's only independent councillor. ]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/libel_cases_spur_kirwans_to_se.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/libel_cases_spur_kirwans_to_se.html News cllr steve foulkes Kirwans; michael sandys Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:48:25 +0000 Paul Hunt discusses how it could be decision time for prenuptial agreements in the UK FOR the first time, a case involving the enforceability of a pre-nuptial agreement has been to the highest court in the UK, the House of Lords. The case, which originated in the Isle of Man, brought to wider attention the growing pressure to move towards a situation in which such agreements become binding. ]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/opinion_paul_hunt.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/opinion_paul_hunt.html Opinion kirwans paul hunt Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:48:25 +0000 LIVERPOOL-BASED writer Cathy Roberts was crowned winner of law firm Mace & Jones's inaugural short story competition last week, at an awards evening at St George's Hall. Ms Roberts, a guide at the Whistlefish Gallery, saw off stiff competition from more than 90 entries from around the world to win the £1,000 first prize. Phil Redmond, creative director at Liverpool Culture Company, handed out the award for her story, The Appointment.]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/portrait_of_a_killer_nets_mace.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/portrait_of_a_killer_nets_mace.html News culture Mace & Jones martin edwards phil redmond Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:48:25 +0000 THE COMMERCIAL Recovery team at Weightmans has been appointed by international debt purchasing giant Arrow Global. Large scale sales of consumer debts by financial institutions, utilities and telecom companies in Europe and Asia have fuelled the growth of Arrow Global's business and Jill Cox, Head of Commercial Recoveries at Weightmans, is enthusiastic about the potential of the new deal. She said: "Arrow Global is an international player in this field and a welcome addition to our client base. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/arrow_global_appoint_weightman.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/12/arrow_global_appoint_weightman.html News arrow global jill cox Weightmans Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:19:32 +0000 INTELLECTUAL property law firm, Shipley Solicitors, is expanding with the appointment of Nick Phillips and the launch of its Employment Law services. Nick, formerly of Michelin Tyre plc, recently joined the Liverpool Science Park based company as a senior lawyer to focus on developing the practice's employment law offer. In addition, he has extensive experience in Intellectual Property Law having been the legal advisor for Michelin's global brand extension business. He also spent a period working in France at Michelin's headquarters. ]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/_intellectual_property_law_fir.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/_intellectual_property_law_fir.html Appointments nick phillips Shipley Solicitors Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:48:45 +0000 THE LAW Society says it "warmly welcomes" the appointment of solicitor David Latham to the role of President of Employment Tribunals His appointment, it added, should "set an example for the profession's judicial ambitions". Law Society President, Paul Marsh, said: "We congratulate Mr Latham on his appointment to this senior judicial role and hope this fuels the aspirations of other solicitors to seek appointment to the bench. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/solicitors_appointment_to_seni.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/solicitors_appointment_to_seni.html News David Latham law society paul marsh Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:26:44 +0000 WEIGHTMANS has launched a new practical reference tool aimed at all those involved with disease claims. Disease-i is aimed at claims handlers, employers who wish to broaden their knowledge of diseases and intermediaries who need to bring themselves quickly up-to-speed with current issues. It is the brainchild of Jim Byard, partner in Weightmans Dedicated Disease Unit. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/weightmans_launches_online_dis.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/weightmans_launches_online_dis.html News Weightmans Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:21:31 +0000 THE CASE of Baby P and the death of two children in Manchester last week have highlighted a growing crisis in child welfare in England and Wales, according to a leading North West lawyer. Here, Mike Devlin, managing partner of the Stephensons Solicitors' family department, says there is disparity between the promises of politicians and the stark reality. He said: "Red tape is putting the most vulnerable children in society at greater risk. Take care proceedings as an example. The legal framework provides that a local authority has certain statutory duties which include:]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/baby_p_death_highlights_a_grow.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/baby_p_death_highlights_a_grow.html News baby p Stephensons Solicitors Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:07:07 +0000 The Law Commission today published its recommendations for the reform of the law on bribery. Edward de la Billière, head of financial investigations and criminal fraud at national law firm Hill Dickinson, commented: "These Law Commission recommendations for simplifying the law relating to bribery and corruption come after a prolonged period of consultation and criticism of the UK's attitude to and ability to prosecute corruption.]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/comment_law_commissions_briber.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/comment_law_commissions_briber.html Opinion bribery edward de la billiere Hill Dickinson law commission Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:14:30 +0000 A PROTRACTED legal battle which saw a wrongly-drafted will tear a family apart is proof of the increasing need for fragmented families to take thorough legal advice over estates and trusts, according to a Liverpool law firm. India Buildings-based Mace & Jones is launching a new contentious trusts and estates unit in response to increased demand for the service. Private client partner Peter Houghton said this week's high profile case of the Sprackling family, which saw three adult children fall out spectacularly with their step mother, is a strong example of why "modern" families need good legal advice. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/family_dispute_over_inheritanc.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/family_dispute_over_inheritanc.html News Mace & Jones peter houghton wills Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000 LIVERPOOL law firm Weightmans have described their half year results as "solid". The firm recorded turnover of £24m between May 1 and October 31, 2008. Last year Weightmans turnover totalled £50m after recording half year results of £22.6m. Commenting on the firm's financial performance, managing partner Patrick Gaul said: "We have increased overall production as compared to this time last year by 9% and all our core practice areas are performing well." http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/weightmans_half_year_results.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/weightmans_half_year_results.html News Weightmans Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:25:09 +0000 Last month a UN Report heavily criticized Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs - commonly referred to as no-win no-fee arrangements) now the Editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail, Mr Paul Dacre has strongly voiced his concerns over the use of CFAs by "unscrupulous" lawyers whose "scandalous greed" ramps up costs in cases involving the media. Mr Dacre told the Society of Editors conference in Bristol on Sunday night that the combination of the current libel laws and use of CFAs meant that even well-resourced media groups like his own, Associated Newspapers, feared the financial implications of contesting certain libel and privacy actions and added that it was beyond the means of local newspapers to contest even the most factually straight forward of claims.]]> http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/blog_cfas_in_libel_claims_come.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/blog_cfas_in_libel_claims_come.html Philip Gray libel law; media law; Kirwans; paul dacre philip gray Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000 PROSECUTORS are too cautious when making decisions about charging drivers involved in fatal accidents, a report found today. Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate found cases where drivers had been charged with careless driving when the evidence supported a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. The inspectors said that in "a few cases" from a sample of 114, prosecutors tended to charge the lesser offence. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/proecutors_too_cautious_chargi.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/proecutors_too_cautious_chargi.html News crown prosecution service death by dangerous driving Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:49:13 +0000 LIVERPOOL firm Silverbeck Rymer has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Barbara Rimmer as finance director. Ms Rimmer, who joins from Leek United Building Society, is a senior finance and commercial executive with experience in VC backed, financial services, public sector and international plc environments. Commenting on Barbara's appointment, Jim Rymer, Chairman at Silverbeck Rymer said: "We are delighted to welcome Barbara to the firm. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/new_finance_chief_at_silverbec.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/new_finance_chief_at_silverbec.html Appointments Barbara Rimmer silverbeck rymer Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:32:21 +0000 NEW scheduling policies meant to speed cases up at magistrates' courts are causing problems for criminal lawyers, a Liverpool law firm has warned. They say because of a desire to cut the number of afternoons the magistrates sit, morning lists are being crammed with too many cases. This has left criminal lawyers over-stretched in the morning, but with little court appointments later in the day. http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/magistrates_schedules_are_caus.html http://www.thelegalweek.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/11/magistrates_schedules_are_caus.html News bridget prentice gary bryan magistrates' court rex makin Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:26:00 +0000