Litigation Legal News Coverage

International Edition

Lords backs Bar Council on complaints-handling amendments

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | May 09, 2007

The Bar Council has scored another victory in the House of Lords after peers yesterday (8 May) voted in favour of two further amendments to the Legal Services Bill. In the second reading of the controversial Bill, peers backed a motion for the Office for Legal Complaints to delegate service and conducts complaints-handling to approved regulators such as the Bar Standards Board.

2 minute read

International Edition

Transparency key in regulatory revamp, says BSB

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | May 04, 2007

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today (4 May) published its response to the Law Society's long-running consultation on regulatory decisions, underlining the importance of transparency in any new disciplinary system. Replying to the consultation paper issued in January, the body said the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) should be permitted to settle disputes with solicitors as an alternative to disciplinary action, apart from in instances of criminal conduct.

2 minute read

Legal Week

Half of law students expect 50-hour working week

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | May 03, 2007

Almost half of all law students expect to work more than 50 hours a week after qualifying into the profession, according to new research, with just 1% of prospective lawyers targeting a career in-house. Forty-seven percent of law students intend to opt out of the Working Time Directive, which limits the working week to 48 hours, according to the Sweet & Maxwell survey. The study finds just 13% of law students expect to work less than 39 hours a week, while 5% said they were willing to work as many hours as necessary.

6 minute read

International Edition

Half of law students expect 50-hour working week

By Charlotte Edmond | May 03, 2007

Almost half of all law students expect to work more than 50 hours a week after qualifying into the profession, according to new research, with just 1% of prospective lawyers targeting a career in-house. Forty-seven percent of law students intend to opt out of the Working Time Directive, which limits the working week to 48 hours, according to the Sweet & Maxwell survey. The study finds just 13% of law students expect to work less than 39 hours a week, while 5% said they were willing to work as many hours as necessary.

2 minute read

International Edition

Bar Council wins lobbying victory in Lords vote

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | May 03, 2007

The judiciary looks set to win the right to influence appointments to the Legal Services Board following a successful lobbying campaign by the Bar Council for amendments to the Legal Services Bill. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, is set to assist the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, in making appointments to the regulatory board following a vote in the House of Lords last month (April 16).

2 minute read

International Edition

The Bar: BCCI working party to push for robust use of judges' powers to limit rising dispute costs

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | May 02, 2007

Post-BCCI working party prepares to publish its interim report; Bar Council scores lobbying victory over the Legal Services Bill at the House of Lords; and No5 Chambers goes organic. Claire Ruckin reports on the latest happenings at the Bar

6 minute read

International Edition

Student news round-up - The Bar

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | April 26, 2007

Bar group floats capping BVC places and relaxing funding in access push [email protected] Bar Council may limit the number of places available…

4 minute read

International Edition

Know your chambers: A closer inspection

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | April 26, 2007

The traditional Chancery versus commercial divide is narrower than ever - meaning research into each chambers is essential to understand their specialisms, says Dominic Carman

8 minute read

International Edition

Access to the Bar: Unlocking the door

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | April 26, 2007

The recent report on improving access to the Bar tackled key issues such as funding, diversity and BVC entry requirements. Claire Ruckin reports

5 minute read

International Edition

Twelve dinners

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | April 26, 2007

Alex Aldridge recounts the rigorous social schedule of a BVC student on the path to being called to the Bar

6 minute read