London Solicitors Litigation Association

Welcome to our latest newsletter designed to let you know of some of our most recent and future activities. As always, for more details please visit our website by clicking here.

LSLA News

Spring Lecture Series
Full details of our Spring Lecture Series will be circulated to members in the near future. In the meantime, the lectures planned are:

• Tuesday 31 March 2009 Dinah Rose QC “Holding the Regulator to Account”
• Tuesday 7 April 2009 Michael Beloff QC “Closed Minds on Open Justice?”
• Tuesday 28 April 2009 Tim Dutton QC “The Aftermath: The Legal Profession after the Credit Crisis”
• Wednesday 20 May 2009 Jonathan Crow QC “Business as usual for Company Directors?”

LSLA AGM and AGM Dinner – 17 March 2009
As reported earlier this month the AGM and AGM dinner will be at held at Lovells on 17 March 2009 and this year’s speaker will be David Gold, the senior partner of Herbert Smith and former head of its litigation and arbitration department. Chatham House rules apply so the evening should be both informative and entertaining. Download copy of the Notice of the AGM and booking form.

Legal News

The Commercial Court Long Trials Working Party
Over the past year we have provided you with details of the developments in the Commercial Court Long Trials pilot scheme, which has now been extended until February 2009.

The Working Party is to meet with practitioners on 26 January 2009 at the offices of Herbert Smith. The open meeting is hosted by the LSLA in association with the Commercial Litigation Forum and Combar.

We shall report back in our next newsletter.

Lord Justice Jackson’s Costs Review
As you will know, Lord Justice Jackson is undertaking a comprehensive review of the costs system. The outcome will have a significant effect on the process of litigation. We are pleased to be able to give members an opportunity to express their views to Lord Justice Jackson when he attends a meeting specially convened for members.

The meeting is due to take place on Monday 9 February from 6.00pm until 7.30pm at the offices of Beachcroft LLP, 100 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1BN.

Everyone is welcome. Lord Justice Jackson says that he has "a clear sheet of paper" for the inquiry and all options are open. This is your opportunity to have your say on costs issues.

This is going to be a vital meeting for litigators to attend and spaces are limited; so book early. Please confirm attendance and numbers by reply email to tracey.banks@lovells.com.

Law Society consultation paper on Contingency Fees
As reported earlier this month the Law Society has issued a consultation paper on Contingency Fees which seeks views on a number of issues about the funding of civil litigation and, in particular, contingency fees and third party funding. A copy of the paper is on our website.

The LSLA is putting together a sub-committee to consider the issues and draft a response on behalf of its members to be provided the Law Society by 31 March 2009. If you would like your views to be included in our response, please send these to Georgina Squire at georgina.squire@rkllp.co.uk.

Reform of Class Actions
The Civil Justice Council (“CJC”) published its final report 12 December 2008.

With the aim of “improving access to justice through collective actions” the CJC’s report makes 11 recommendations to improve and expand the current basis upon which collective actions can be brought. It also attaches a draft “Collective Proceedings Act” and draft amendments to the CPR.

A response from the Lord Chancellor is expected within 6 months.