Jan Contents
President's message: The profession faces a year of challenge and must strive to stay on the front foot as new initiatives are proposed from all quarters
Author questions whether the Society still has real input into criminal legal aid policy; and whether there is a future for criminal defence solicitors in private practice
Overview from Scottish Court Service staff of the main features of the Bonomy reforms to High Court procedure as enacted
Author's view that the George Galloway defamation case implies far-reaching controls on what newspapers may publish
The Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill illustrates a shift of emphasis from reaction to prevention of offences against children
Interview with Gerry Brown, Convener of the Criminal Law Committee, on the implications for practitioners of the Bonomy reforms
How the financial services market has changed for solicitors, with financial advisers regrouping into new categories as the FSA extends its influence
Information technology is the modern tools of the trade for solicitors, but it is the ability to support, maintain and use these tools that will determine which firms will succeed
First of four articles on producing and implementing a strategy plan looks at methods of measuring financial performance
The risk and risk management issues considered over the course of 2004, and risk issues topical at the beginning of 2005
Reminder that only in exceptional circumstances does the Society permit assignation of a training contract
Financial Services Authority has amended its rulebooks to clarify the duty of an authorised professional firm to comply with the rules of the FSA and/or its designated professional body
Society's Council has approved new practice guidelines on gazumping, gazundering and closing dates
Latest civil cases, including falling of the instance; forum non conveniens; pleas; caution for expenses; tenders; remit to the sheriff court; antisocial behaviour orders
Outline of the legislative programme for the coming year at Holyrood and Westminster, as affecting Scotland
Reforms being considered to the Scottish Parliament's private bill procedures should not reduce proper scrutiny by elected representatives
The Executive's draft Bankruptcy and Diligence Bill is a potential law of unintended consequences
The Inner House in Hyndman v Readman has held that the Insolvency Rules contain no presumption for a commission basis, even where a company has few assets
Reviews of sites concerned with freedom of information
Review of The Case Against War
The Tenements (Scotland) Act provisions introducing the notice of potential liability for costs, raise a number of questions as to how they will work in practice
Answers to some common questions concerning registration of burdens under post-feudal law; and items on the Tenements Act and the Joint Consultative Committee