Jean-Yves Gilg

MIAMs aren't a guaranteed deal-maker, Resolution tells Lord Neuberger

Respondents to family law organisation's survey finds small proportion of mediations result in a settlement

Misery loves company

'For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens "as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone".'

Judges are used to hearing excuses from lawyers as to why their clients have failed to appear at scheduled court dates, but an Edinburgh sheriff may just have heard the best one. Solicitor Roy Harley was representing his absent client, 55-year-old Paul Mount, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, on charges of conducting himself in a disorderly manner while on a bus by attempting to open a bottle - which he claimed contained petrol - and threatening to set passengers on fire. Harley told sheriff Kenneth Maciver he had no explanation for his client's absence, but told the court he had received instructions from Mount to plead guilty to the charge. When sheriff Maciver inquired as to why Mount had failed to attend court, his solicitor replied: 'To be frank My Lord, when he arrived at my office [last week] he was wearing a fluorescent green Batman outfit. I think drink had been taken. But I do have instructions to plead guilty to this charge.' Sheriff Maciver, who clearly has a sense of humour, responded: 'I will defer the matter to next Tuesday but perhaps you could tell him not to dress as Batman, or Robin for that matter.' In addition to the disorderly conduct charge, the caped crusader also admitted to committing a breach of the peace by struggling with passengers and attempting to climb into the bus driver's cab. It remains to be seen whether sheriff Maciver sentences Batman to the Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Dressed.

Human error the most likely source for data security breaches in law firms

Complicated internal procedures lead to employees finding ways to take matters into their own hands

High Court judge tells warring couple to have 'serious settlement discussion'

Divorce may be like a boxing match, but it is the children who suffer 'lifelong bruises', says family mediator

Freedom of Information Act to face greater scrutiny

The cost and time involved in handling FoI requests are significant issues plaguing the government

State of play: case summaries

Jennifer Ridgway and Karen Bayley provide analysis of recent cases involving vulnerable clients, the estate of Jimmy Savile and trusts

Lawyers need to learn from the retail sector on customer satisfaction

Legal community opens up research base to share sector secrets

Articles