Archive

Cats in a flap

'Cat herder required' would, according to many observers of our profession, be an appropriate advertisement for the post of managing partner at a modern day law firm (Herding Cats by Gerald Riskin and Patrick J McKenna,1995). It seems that the authors of textbooks in this area categorise us as difficult individuals who prove tricky to manage and relish independence to the extent that teamwork can prove problematic. How rude.

Prosecuting mother for attempted murder in public interest, DPP insists

Keir Starmer QC, the DPP, has defended his decision to prosecute Kay Gilderdale for attempted murder following the death of her daughter Lynn, a victim of ME.

Vodka wins protection from VODKAT

Diageo, producer of Smirnoff vodka, has won a High Court passing off action against the producers of VODKAT, a mixture of vodka and fermented alcohol.

University lecturers lose unfair dismissal test case

Three university lecturers have lost their challenge to the imposition of a national pay agreement. The lecturers, chosen from a group of 68, argued at the EAT that their contracts had been terminated by the change and that they had been unfairly or constructively dismissed.

DPP under fire for attempted murder charge against mother

Keir Starmer QC, the DPP, has been criticised by a High Court judge for pursuing an attempted murder charge against a mother who pleaded guilty to assisting the suicide of her daughter, who was crippled by ME.

Stubborn residue

When considering residual liberty, why has the Court of Appeal seemingly ignored what it – and the House of Lords – once said, asks David Hewitt

Paying the price

Following on from our coverage of the Jackson report last week, Andrew Parker examines funding options for parties involved in civil litigation

Bag a lawyer

The Legal Services Act has generated pages of gloomy predictions about the threat to law firms, but it could offer fresh opportunities for the publicly funded sector. Jon Robins reports