London Solicitors Litigation Association

Welcome to our newsletter which contains details of some of our most recent and future activities and issues which might affect you. For more details please visit our website by clicking here.

LSLA News

Invitation to Members to Join the LSLA Committee
We have recently asked if you are interested in joining our committee. We have an active committee and are always keen to hear our members’ views. If you are interested in joining please contact our President, David Greene, at david.greene@edwincoe.com

Likewise if members of your firm would like to join the LSLA, they would be very welcome. Please contact Anna Pertoldi at anna.pertoldi@herbertsmith.com

Spring Lecture Series
The final lecture in our Spring Series took place recently when Jonathan Crow QC delivered his lecture entitled “Business as usual for Company Directors?” on the effect of the Companies Act 2006 upon the rights and duties of directors.  For those who were not able to attend a copy of his notes can be found on our website by clicking here.

LSLA Annual Dinner – 17 November 2009
Please remember to make a diary note to keep 17 November 2009 free for our Annual Dinner.

Legal News

Lord Justice Jackson’s Costs Review
On 8 May 2009 Lord Justice Jackson published his preliminary report into the costs of civil proceedings aimed at promoting “access to justice at proportionate cost”. A full copy of the substantial report can be found at www.judiciary.gov.uk/about_judiciary/cost-review/preliminary-report.htm

The preliminary report explains current costs law and procedure and the costs applicable to civil litigation. It also describes the costs rules in some other jurisdictions to “hopefully, provide a helpful basis for comparison with our own costs rules”. The report is “intended to provide a basis for discussion during the consultation period which forms Phase 2 of the Costs Review”.

The consultation period extends until 31 July and includes a series of public seminars to be held in Cardiff on 19 June, Birmingham on 26 June, Manchester on 3 July and London on 10 July. During the consultation period Lord Justice Jackson shall reach his decisions on the issues raised in the preliminary report with the aim of producing his final report by the end of the year.

The LSLA is preparing submissions on the preliminary report. If you would like to contribute to these please contact our secretary, Lucy Mckinley at lucymckinley041@btinternet.com.

Recent Consultation Papers
The LSLA has recently responded to several consultation papers including those on:

• Mandatory Accreditation for Higher Court Advocates
• Controlling Costs in Defamation
• Fees in the United Kingdom Supreme Court

Copies of these responses are available on our website by clicking here.

CLAN: the Commercial Litigation Association
CLAN was set up by Tony Guise a former past president of the LSLA. CLAN is holding its annual conference in London on 9 June 2009. Those interested in attending should contact CLAN direct.

Recent Press

Committee Members of the LSLA and the LSLA itself have appeared in several recent articles including:

• Solicitors Journal, 28 April 2009, “Striking a Balance” concerning pre-action conduct by James Maton
• Maritime Risk International, April 2009, “A New Hurdle for London” discussing the West tankers/Front Comor case by David Greene
• Money Market, May 2009, “US Securities and Exchange Commission v Manterfield: a case that could change business” by David Greene
• Times Online, 8 May 2009, “Lord Justice Jackson raises concerns about rising legal costs” in which David Greene was quoted giving some initial views on the Preliminary Report (see report)
• Legal Week Online, 8 May 2009, “Jackson to review complex Commercial Disputes” which again quotes David Greene on Jackson LJ’s Report (see report)
• Law Society Gazette, 21 May 2009, “Place your bests” in which David Greene commented on the issue of litigation funding
• Solicitors Journal, 26 May, “The New Bestseller” by Andrew Parker