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International Edition

The return of the native – Todd QC on returning to practise after an eventful year as Bar Council chair

"This last year, I have come to realise, even more clearly than before, that you cannot please all people all of the time and you cannot please some people any of the time." So wrote Erskine Chambers' Michael Todd QC at the conclusion of his year as chairman of the Bar Council. If there was a touch of asperity in the tone of writing, Todd could be forgiven.
10 minute read

International Edition

Access all areas – the realities of gaining direct access to the Bar

There are no two ways about it. After years of effectively being a closed shop, the Bar is opening up. A number of initiatives over the years have seen it attempt to open its doors to a more diverse range of young barristers. And more recently, it attempted to stop relying on its traditional referring solicitor client base to attract a more diverse range of clients – whether or not solicitors liked it. The popularity of the scheme myBarrister – to launch later this year – an online service that will promote direct access to the Bar through a centralised portal of barristers (see page 20), is the latest in a string of moves by the Bar to increase direct instructions from clients. The changes are largely down to a concerted push from several individual barristers and sets to increase direct access in light of funding cuts, especially to legal aid, as well as to increased competition from solicitors looking to bring more advocacy work in-house.
15 minute read

International Edition

Paper trail – are paperless trials the way forward for UK courts?

Billed as the biggest trial in the British courts in terms of value, the case brought in 2011 by Boris Berezovsky against fellow Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was always going to attract plenty of interest. With accusations of blackmail, breach of trust and breach of contract, as well as a damages claim of £3.8bn, the scene was set for high drama. The ensuing litigation proved to be a first on a number of counts, not least for being the first case to be heard at the High Court's commercial arm, the Rolls Building.
8 minute read

International Edition

Libor scandal throws Extradition Act into the spotlight as SFO comes under pressure

As the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) becomes the third bank to reach a settlement on Libor, a key battle is being fought behind closed doors as both the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the US Department of Justice (DoJ) pursue former employees of UBS for alleged manipulation of Libor. It has once again thrown the spotlight on the Extradition Act 2003, its proposed amendment and the prospect of UK-based executives being extradited to the US for offences where arguably the proper forum for resolution of the allegations is England & Wales.
6 minute read

Inside Counsel

Apple wins UK essential patent claim against Samsung

Apple Inc. has won the latest installment in its epic patent war against Samsung Electronics Co., after a U.K. judge ruled on Thursday that the California-based company did not infringe three Samsung patents on mobile technology.
4 minute read

Inside Counsel

Litigation: Ignoring privilege log obligations may prove costly

For many lawyers, constructing an appropriate privilege log is a mere afterthought in the overall discovery process.
5 minute read

Inside Counsel

Law firm lawyer sues firm for compensation

A former bankruptcy partner at Loeb & Loeb says the firm owes him big time.
3 minute read

Inside Counsel

Citing Dukes, 9th Circuit overturns class certification in wage and hour case

The 9th Circuit issued a decision earlier this week that could greatly impact wage and hour litigation going forward.
8 minute read

Inside Counsel

Litigation: 3 provisions lurking in the fine print of boilerplate contracts

Although these provisions may appear standard, they can have a profound impact on a business relationship, going so far as to turn a big deal into a big mess.
10 minute read

Inside Counsel

6 of the strangest lawsuits making headlines

A dangerous package, an unloved child and four more of the strangest lawsuits making headlines
5 minute read

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