Legal Features

Articles

22 Sept 2009

Birth of a salesman

Partners must be prepared to take on a more managerial role and focus on bringing new work for their firms to succeed after the downturn, says Laura Clarke

15 Sept 2009

The American dream?

The SFO's new guidelines for dealing with overseas corruption contain admirable aims, but it remains to be seen how successful implementing an American model will be, says Hassan Khan

15 Sept 2009

Lawyers without frontiers: Fiji after the coup

The military coup that overthrew the legitimately elected government of Fiji two years ago remains a threat to the rule of law and to the independence of lawyers, says Sara Chandler

15 Sept 2009

First contact

Building relationships is essential to the success of every law firm and gaining contacts by networking can be simple and enjoyable, says Jennifer Overhaus

15 Sept 2009

Just the job

“Don't take this the wrong way but I hope I never see you again.” This is the valedictory that I have received many times from the tearfully grateful and the plain relieved. I don't suppose that architects, doctors, plumbers or roadside mechanics get quite the same expression of thanks. It all rather sums up the absolute nature of what we do: the moment that the jury returns with its verdict and the foreman is asked to “please stand”, the whole room holds its breath. Whether prosecuting or defending, it is an incredibly tense, awful, unbearable moment. I used to be superstitious – writing the 'g' in my notebook and wondering whether I would by some miracle be putting an 'n' in front of it. Now I just close my notebook and pretend that it is not happening. I don't know what the judge feels about a verdict – perhaps the judge really is above it all – but I suspect that where it is possible to have formed a view there is the occasional tingle of nerves.

15 Sept 2009

Update: consumer

Mark Lucas examines the new consumer White Paper, the OFT's latest moves against Foxtons, and the recently proposed Personal Responsibility Bill

15 Sept 2009

Update: immigration

Jane Coker reviews recent cases dealing with the factors to be considered when deciding whether to deport an individual

15 Sept 2009

Taking a gamble

The decision to uphold national legislation restricting internet gambling to a national monopoly is not consistent with the ideals of a single market, says Paul Stanley NO