Legal Features

Articles

Update: local government

Christopher Baker reviews a series of decisions on the liability of local councils

Communication breakdown

Keeping clients informed is not just a professional requirement, it also makes good business sense, says Andrew Goodall

A bond salesman's word may not be his advice

Gloster J's detailed recent judgment in JP Morgan Chase v Springwell Navigation [2008] EWHC 1186 (Comm) indicates that 'experienced investors' in the bond markets will find it difficult to argue that banks – via their salesmen – owe them any advisory duty or responsibility for investment decisions, where this would be inconsistent with the disclaimers and other terms expressly set out in the deal documentation.

The rise and fall of group actions: a front-line view

The cost-benefit approach taken to the granting of group litigation orders has undermined the purpose of the rules introduced to provide access to justice for claimants unable to fund litigation, says Andrew Prynne QC

Lessons in protocol

The Rent Pre-Action protocol may have limited scope but its application contains valuable lessons for all lawyers involved in possession proceedings, says Robert Jordan

Joined-up sentencing

The rush to set up the proposed Sentencing Commission risks sweeping away all the good work done by the Sentencing Guidelines Council and Sentencing Advisory Panel, says Paul Tain

Update: trusts, wills and probate

Catherine Sanders and Catherine McAleavey review the latest cases

An explosive decision

Small shops that fail to comply with health and safety regulations concerning the storage of fireworks must prepare themselves for a 'hefty' fine, says Jonathan Austin-Jones