Feb Contents
President's message: the Society's members must have the final say in the policy for the future of the profession and in proposed standards of conduct and service
Opinion that it is possible to regulate the proposed new forms of business structure, but it requires a whole new, and more modern, approach
Interviews with Richard Keen, Colin Boyd and Michael Jones on professional relationships between solicitors and advocates, and possible new career paths
Why the Voluntary Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Cases is not working as it should to encourage early settlement of claims
The Keeper recommends that solicitors use deeds of conditions rather than dispositions to create real burdens, if the burdens are to be mutually enforceable
Interview with Lord Gill to find out what is shaping the thoughts of the Civil Courts Review, as it reaches the consultation paper stage
A key ruling of the House of Lords has clarified the rights of those who claim to be victims of an ultra vires act of the Scottish Ministers
First of two articles on the 2007 Cost of Time Survey highlights the impact on a firm's cost base of developing an efficient structure of fee earners
Julia Bateman has been appointed head of the Society's Brussels office
Andrew Phillips is the Society's new Deputy Director of Education and Training
Scholarships are available to young lawyers who wish to participate in the International Bar Association's annual conference
Most solicitors will never be involved with the Judicial Factor or the Society's Interventions Department, but there are benefits from knowing how they operate
The committee is watching the progress of the summary justice reforms carefully to see how well they bed in
Some advice on queries being raised with the Society relating to the new money laundering regulations
The Licensing Law Subcommittee's opinion on what boards can require of applicants
Some ideas on what needs to be put in place in order to develop high performing teams in law firms
Interview with Stephen Moore, the solicitor who has developed the CaseCheck service for researching the law and demonstrating the user's own skills
Authors warn of the constant need for vigilance against data theft in a world where the possible means are multiplying
Case studies and risk management points based on the experience of claims under the Master Policy in the areas of trust and executry work
Latest criminal cases, including bail; contempt of court; sentence discounts; backdating; delay; concert
Despite the lack of major legislation in progress, don't assume that 2008 will be a quiet year for employment law developments
The main points of the new adoption law, expected to come into force by the end of this year
An ongoing campaign against licensees who illegally substitute branded spirits has achieved significant progress against the practice
Report relating to Paul Gerard Kirk
Review of the Office of Public Sector Information website
Review of Wheatley's Road Traffic Law in Scotland
Recent legislation and case law developments affecting public sector procurement practice
Legislative changes place new responsibilities on private landlords to carry out repairs and keep properties fit for human habitation
Scotland, along with the rest of the UK, compares favourably with most EU states as regards conveyancing services, according to a new EU survey
Borders solicitors have launched a standard missive, drafted by George Gretton, containing one or two innovative features