Archive

A fertile subject

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 has opened up new definitions of parenthood potentially affecting the work of all private client practitioners, from will-writers to tax planners and divorce lawyers, says Natalie Gamble

Thankfully Christmas comes but once a year

Who needs Christmas cards in the age of the internet? We do, says Russell Conway

Armageddon postponed

Law firms are feeling the crunch, but the smart ones are already thinking of the next stages when the economy starts picking up, says Jonathan Benjamin

Locked out of a solution?

How can local authorities best address the conflict between the established practice of entering into exclusivity agreements with contractors, and the new procurement rules requiring openness and transparency, asks Laura Clarke

When your nearest isn't your dearest

Amendments to the Mental Health Act provide new systems for the selection – and most importantly, the removal – of a patient's nearest relative, says David Hewitt

Fixed costs: a minor issue

The CPR definition of a road traffic accident is so wide that access to justice, particularly in cases involving minors, is suffering, say Alison Neate and Julie Cooper

The battle for Bleak House

The case of Couwenbergh v Valkova is the only civil case to negotiate the new CPR52 r17 procedure and make a successful second civil appeal, reports Henry Webb

Foul language, hatred, disrepute and ridicule

Two recent libel pay-outs to individuals regarded as role models illustrate the danger of libel being exposed to ridicule and contempt, says Rod Dadak