Archive

Probate just got interesting

As the ICAEW starts to license accountants to undertake probate work, what will this mean for solicitors, asks Stuart Bushell

Pensions update

Jennie Kreser discusses what contingency methods employers' with pension deficits could be forced to take after the PPF publishes the results of its statutory consultation

IP/IT update

Susan Singleton considers the changes to ownership of IP rights under the new Intellectual Property Act 2014

North of the border

Kate Davies predicts that whether they do or don't go, the referendum will cost the Scots a bonnie penny in tax all the same   It's over 300 miles from London to the England/Scotland border – that's three times as far away as France where, perhaps coincidently, three times as many of my colleagues have holidayed this summer. Yet it is the independence vote north of the border that Londoners and the rest of the UK will be turning their attention to later this month, rather than to the senate elections across the Channel.   But if the Scots do vote for independence on 18 September, will future generations view referendums and elections taking place in Scotland akin to those in France and elsewhere? Personally, I doubt it very much and I believe the two countries will still remain very closely connected, although there are many reported changes that we can expect if the 'yes' vote wins including to the Union Jack.

How to tackle fraud in personal injury claims

Quibbles over the merits of clause 45 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill are in danger of detracting from the real problem in PI: the practice of pre-med offers, says Louisa Chambers

High Court rules Ashya King to be freed from legal controls

Trust, communication and respect for individual beliefs by authorities are essential in similar cases, says legal expert

New security regime

Jennifer Williamson on how adapting to and accepting a new and wide-ranging risk environment, where COFAs are culpable and the accountancy safety blanket is disappearing, will prevent security breaches 

Test drive

Peter James speculates on how driverless and autonomous vehicles will be regulated in the years to come and who would be liable in an accident