It follows threats by the Law Society to start judicial review proceedings against the Government to try to force it to back down.

A Law Society statement reads: "The Law Society welcomes the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) decision inviting the Legal Services Commission (LSC) not to proceed with its planned pilots for Best Value Tendering (BVT).

The move has prompted the Society to warn that further cuts to an already crippled criminal justice system will impact on access to justice.

WEIGHTMANS, which has offices in Liverpool's India Building, today release their half year results.

In a statement, the firm said: "With half year results up by over 5%, Weightmans remains on target to improve on last years' £52 million turnover.

"After reaching £25.2m from May 1 to October 31, 2009, Weightmans is ahead of last year's H1 of £23.9m and managing partner, Patrick Gaul is optimistic that the firm can achieve its annual fee income target of £57m."

The society says up to 3,600 firms could go to the wall after being taken off a Co-operative Financial Services' (CFS) conveyancing panel.

It adds if other banks and building societies follow suit the society warns "access to justice in small towns and rural areas could be severly damaged".

The Law Society is advising anyone facing the prospect of divorce to seek expert legal advice from a specialist family law solicitor.

Katie - who is also known as glamour model Jordan - and Peter were granted a quickie divorce in London's High Court three weeks ago. (For news story, click here.)

The deal involves the acquisition of five freehold land assets and options to acquire seven further strategic land assets, together with the business of Harrow Estates, for £15m.

The third in line to the throne has only started receiving the money after turning 25, it has been reported.

Mace & Jones trusts specialist Paul Bricknell said by law young people can gain access to their inheritance aged 18 but in many cases the youngster is too young to handle the cash sensibly.

BRABNERS Chaffe Street has appointed Lindsay Yateman as a senior associate in its family practice.

Lindsay, who joins from Chester-based Storrar Cowdry, is a specialist in collaborative family law, which involves four-way meetings between the couple and their lawyers where everyone aims to reach amicable agreements, without the added pressure of settling differences in a courtroom.

Brabners Chaffe Street say it has seen an increase in couples looking to resolve family issues in this way because some couples find it less confrontational and it is often quicker than the traditional court process.

Mace & Jones insolvency unit partner Graeme Jump said while many exposed companies have already succumbed to the pressures of the recession, a new round is inevitable after the summer break.

Official figures show that North West insolvencies dropped to 35 in June, compared to an average of 48 per month since the start of the year.

JUNIOR lawyers worried about their next career steps had a crisis meeting with senior industry figures last week.

They are concerned the bleak economic outlook and an increase in graduates means getting a job is harder than ever.

After leaving university and law school, many budding lawyers are shouldering debts of up to £30,000.

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.

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.

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

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.