FeaturesFixed payments: a real impact?Research into the legal aid fixed payment scheme for summary criminal cases reveals some unexpected effects on firms' incomes and the overall legal aid bill Training: the bigger pictureA survey of the requirements for qualification as a solicitor in some other jurisdictions, as the Society consults on the future for Scotland Contact breakersRoger Mackenzie surveys family lawyers' views on how to enforce contact orders; John Fotheringham highlights a provision that may help to win some financial support Abuse in the systemThe experience of the Glasgow pilot domestic abuse court in its first two years, and its prospects for reducing the risk of offending behaviour Stirring up interestA Scotish Law Commissioner explains the recently published proposals to reform the law on rights to interest |
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President's message: As work on the Legal Profession Bill enters a new phase, sellers' surveys and developments in England & Wales have also been engaging the Society
Opinion that it is time to split the Lord Advocate's roles of government adviser and head of the prosecution service, and reform the method of appointment
The most significant features of the Queen's Speech as affecting Scots law, and the Society's position on the bills in question
Money laundering problems frequently raised with the Society, and software systems available to help with money laundering checks
In his second article on fraud and fraud prevention, the author offers some dos and don'ts as the first steps when suspicions of fraud begin to emerge
An introduction to podcasting and what it could do for the legal profession
A review of how practices might have improved their risk management in 2006
Latest criminal cases, including Crown appeals; deforcement of messengers; jury seclusion; insanity; corroboration; alternative charges; fairness
Beleaguered landlords have some cause to cheer at least in relation to grazing leases, following recent court decisions
The decision in L'Oreal SA v Bellure NV strengthens the hand of brand owners against attempts to market copycat products
The government's decision to opt out of Rome III has spared family lawyers a few headaches
Those who negligently cause sporting injuries could find themselves paying out to more than just their opponent
Some guidance for advisers of trustee shareholders on the status of shares allocated in the Standard Life demutualisation this year
Reports relating to Alexander Muir; Deryck de Maine Beaumont; Norman James Cowie
Reviews of the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal website and others relevant to solicitors facing investigatory action
Reviews of Family Law Reform (Thomson); The Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (Norrie); Family Law Essentials (Norrie)
The complexity of regulation in the modern world means that in-house lawyers are increasingly assuming a broader role as risk managers
Revisions to part 1 of the CML Handbook make important changes to bring the instructions up to date and prepare for automated registration of title
Make sure you know how to get the most from the services now developed following discussions between the Society and HMRC
Key changes to land and charge certificates, registration fees and application forms to take effect from 22 January 2007
"Every firm's name is its brand ... It may be that more should be aiming to be punchier and more easily remembered even where a generic type brand is not possible or appropriate."