Commercial

Articles

Update: commercial contracts

Mark Lucas considers recent cases illustrating the impact of Chartbrook in relation to the interpretation of contracts, the admissibility of pre-contractual negotiations and without prejudice discussions

Straw in "astonishing" U-turn on court fees

In an extraordinary U-turn, justice secretary Jack Straw has decided to scrap the court fees paid by councils for care proceedings.

Conductor's family escapes assisted suicide prosecution

The children of Sir Edward Downes, the conductor, who died with his wife at the Dignitas clinic last July, will not be prosecuted, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

MoJ suspends Cartel Client Review

The Ministry of Justice has suspended the authorisation of Cartel Client Review (CCR), one of the country's biggest claims management firms. The MoJ had been investigating the company for some time and said it had generated a “high volume of enquiries”.

Catholic Care wins gay adoption challenge

Catholic Care, the charity providing adoption services to the Catholic community, has succeeded in a last-ditch attempt at the High Court to escape regulations which could prevent it from excluding gay couples.

Beyond belief

Several recent cases have brought workplace discrimination into the spotlight, but what beliefs are protected and how can employers reduce the risk of a claim being brought against them? Philip Henson reports

Dubious privilege

Challenges to the 'without prejudice' rule continue to come thick and fast. Andrew Butler considers where three recent authorities have left the principle

Finders, keepers

By using professional probate genealogists, practitioners can save time and money as well as significantly reduce the risk of claims from missing beneficiaries, says Andrew Kidd