NEXT
Sign in to follow

International Edition

JAC ombudsman unveils first annual report

The Judicial Appointments & Conduct Ombudsman has published his first annual report, setting formal performance targets for next year and revealing a funding surplus of more than £100,000 for the last 12 months. In his report, published today (17 July), Sir John Bridgstocke - who has responsibility for dealing with complaints about judges' conduct and appointments to the judiciary - said the body had responded to 91% of complainants within five working days and had kept customers informed on a monthly basis in 82% of cases.
2 minute read

International Edition

Justice Smith referred to judicial complaints body

Mr Justice Peter Smith faces an official investigation after refusing to stand down from a case over which he was presiding. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor, referred Smith to the Office of Judicial Complaints (OJC) after he refused to stand down from Howell and ors v Lees-Millais and ors even though an application had been lodged for him to do so.
1 minute read

International Edition

Bar Council consults on wig-free civil court plan

The Bar Council is to launch a consultation on plans to scrap wigs and introduce simplified gowns in civil proceedings that would end a centuries-old tradition. The move comes in response to the announcement by the Lord Chief Justice yesterday (12 July) that judges and lawyers in civil cases will wear less elaborate gowns from 1 January next year.
2 minute read

International Edition

Arbitration cost to come under CEDR microscope

The cost and speed of international arbitration will be discussed at the first meeting of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Commission on Settlement in International Arbitration today (10 July). The meeting, which will feature representations from leading international arbitrators, mediators, academics and counsel across 25 jurisdictions, will be co-chaired by the former Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf and Schellenberg Wittmer arbitration partner Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler.
1 minute read

International Edition

Erskine Chambers' Todd to head Chancery body

Erskine Chambers' Michael Todd QC has been elected as the new chairman of the Chancery Bar Association (ChBA), the body announced yesterday (4 June). Todd replaces Charles Purle QC - the former head of New Square Chambers - in the role after standing unopposed in an election at the body's annual general meeting.
1 minute read

International Edition

Client hospitality comes under the spotlight in Bar standards review

Bar Standards Board unveils 'blush test' as key plank of new guidance on chambers hospitality as senior Bar figures say the regulator has managed a deft balancing act. Claire Ruckin reports on the latest developments at the Bar
7 minute read

International Edition

Behrens calls for BSB complaints overhaul

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is set for a major overhaul of its complaints-handling procedures after the body's independent Complaints Commissioner today (3 July) said the current system was in need of "significant improvement". Unveiling the findings of his root-and-branch review into the Bar's disciplinary processes, Rob Behrens called for a raft of reforms to streamline complaints-handling.
2 minute read

Corporate Counsel

Legally Green

When I was in high school in New Jersey in the 1980s, I took an environmental science class. I had no interest in the subject...
3 minute read

Corporate Counsel

Changing Times

A more diverse workforce requires employers to rethink their training programs.
7 minute read

Corporate Counsel

A Murky Ruling

High Court's decision on obviousness leaves patent attorneys scratching their heads.
6 minute read

More from ALM

More from ALM

Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what’s happening in the legal industry.

Resources

  • Why Embracing Change Is Essential for Your Legal Department

    Brought to you by DiliTrust

    Download Now

  • International Export and Trade Assistance State Law Survey

    Brought to you by LexisNexis®

    Download Now

  • How This Personal Injury Firm Reduced Client Intake Time by 80%

    Brought to you by PracticePanther

    Download Now

  • The Hidden Cost of Bad Reviews: Why Law Firms & Attorneys Can't Afford a Damaged Online Reputation

    Brought to you by Erase.com

    Download Now