the magazine : Apr 2007
Summaries of articles from this issue are shown below. Click on the title to read an article. If cover image is displayed, click it to view page layout and graphics. To search back issues, select “library”.
FeaturesPurely rhetoric?A critical view of party politicians' lack of awareness of the effect of legal aid cutbacks, plus a survey of the party manifesto pledges on justice Profit, team by teamSecond article based on the 2006 Cost of Time Survey looks at comparative figures for salaries and overheads, and assessing profitability of departments within a firm Bring them homeChild abduction cases continue to occupy the courts as parents fail to appreciate the existence and effect of the Hague Convention Local rootsScotland's numerous local faculties of solicitors report uncertainties over their future, but maintain that they still have a lot to offer the profession Wanted! (for conspiracy)Recent extradition cases against UK business figures have thrown up an important question on the scope of the common law crime of conspiracy to defraud One voiceInterview with Colin Tyre QC, the Scot who is current President of the CCBE, the Council of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe |
 
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Articles
The bigger picture
President's message: the major issues currently being discussed with government require both sides to keep the wider policy issues and objectives in mind
Citizen justice
Opinion that the next Scottish Parliament should embrace ambition for civil justice by pursuing reforms such as those suggested in the article
AGM report
Report of the highlights of the 2007 AGM of the Society, including the President's address, practice rules, financial reports and members' motions on legal aid
Dealing positively with client concerns
First of two articles from the Society and the Ombudsman on some of the key issues which firms should consider to ensure they deal with client concerns positively
Block fees: the story behind the changes
The discussions that led up to the recent changes to the civil legal aid table of fees, and the difficulties the Society encountered in trying to make its views count
Think before you charge
Second article on aspects of VAT relevant to solicitors highlights some instances where a client may gain if the solicitor chooses the right approach to billing
For the high jump
The potential size of claims in commercial property-related work is such that particular care needs to be taken in all aspects of handling the work
Jury questions
Latest criminal cases, including jury deliberations; mixed statements; CCTV evidence; sentencing powers; sentencing for driving causing death
Put to the test
Questions have to be asked whether the pilot under-18 test purchasing scheme in Fife is being implemented fairly and with a sense of proportion
Yet another expense
The treatment of business rates by the Insolvency Rules, as judicially construed, is a hurdle to achieving the recovery purposes of administration
Planning with people
The latest Planning Advice Note encapsulates the more constructive vision of community engagement enshrined in the 2006 Planning Act
Lifting the lid
HMRC has successfully used its current powers to uncover a wealth of information about offshore bank accounts
Website reviews
Legal websites related to various religious persuasions
Book reviews
Review of Disciplinary and Regulatory Proceedings (Harris and Carnes)
Home is where the heart is
How author's experience of moving from commercial litigation to in-house local authority work was less of a leap into the dark than she feared
PSG - new certificate of title
Property Standardisation Group introduces the new version of its commercial certificate of title
SEPA: apply online and save
Registration for low-risk water activities such as septic tanks can now be applied for online, at a saving
From the Library>
The name game: rebranding legal firms
"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."