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Beyond measure

Lawyers are very familiar with the doctrine of unintended consequences, whereby new policies and initiatives bounce back and bite the hand which feeds them. The unintended consequences can arise from the best of motives; drug testing in prison was introduced to combat serious over consumption of cannabis inside: the fact that Class A drugs stay in the body for a shorter time and thus became the custodial drug of choice was in no one's mind when the policy was instituted.

Fate of 300 complaints staff hangs in the balance

The fate of over 300 staff at the Legal Complaints Service in Leamington Spa hangs in the balance this week as the High Court considers whether or not they are protected by TUPE.

Social working: portrait of a new intranet

The magic-circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer recently opted to transform its intranet in an attempt to increase collaboration across diverse teams using an Enterprise 2.0 social business tool.

Final bail date for assisted suicide doctor

A doctor involved in the suicide of a terminally-ill cancer sufferer has had his bail extended for the fifth time in a year, Solicitors Journal has learned.

Court of Appeal rejects claims of change in rules on tax exiles

The Court of Appeal has rejected claims that HMRC has changed the rules on non-resident status.

Young people the best at understanding judges

Jurors aged 18-29 are the best at understanding oral directions from judges, a study for the Ministry of Justice has shown.

Multiple choice tests for criminal advocates

Multiple choice tests should be used to assess the quality of advocates in the criminal courts, the Legal Services Commission has said.

Lifers sent to mental hospitals can claim benefits after tariff ends

Convicted criminals jailed for life, who are later transferred to mental hospitals, can claim benefits once their tariff has ended, the Court of Appeal has ruled.