Three lectures took place this month.

 

On 10 May 2010, Craig delivered an interesting talk on how expanding law and regulations has increased the use of defences based on the Claimant’s illegal conduct. During his lecture, he considered the circumstances in which such defences might succeed and how they might be overcome in the light of the decision of House of Lords in Stone & Rolls –v- Moore Stephens. A copy of Craig’s lecture notes are available by clicking here and on our website.

 

 

Stephen delivered his lecture on 20 May 2010. In an informative talk he explored recent developments in the law relating to the interpretation of jurisdiction clauses, challenges to forum and anti-suit injunctions. (download the Forum Battles lecture notes in powerpoint format)

 

 

The issue of litigation funding has never been so topical following the production of Lord Justice Jackson’s report earlier this year. On 25 May 2010 Jeremy (who was one of the assessors to the Jackson Review) explored the range of funding options available to litigants should Lord Justice Jackson’s recommendations be implemented and considered the advice which we, as solicitors, shall have to give clients on funding.

Second Visit to the Supreme Court - 6 October 2010

Last year members of the LSLA visited the Supreme Court for an informative talk by Louise Di Mambro (Registrar of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and Acting Registrar of the Privy Council) about the role of The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. This was followed by a short tour of the Court.

The event was so well received that we have decided to repeat it and shall take place on 6 October 2010. Numbers will be limited to 50 with a preference being given to those who did not attend last year’s visit. Full details shall be circulated in due course.

Committee Members - Vacancy

The Committee strives to reflect the broad practices of the LSLA’s membership.

There is currently a vacancy on the committee for another member and having considered the matter carefully, the Committee would welcome applications from practitioners specializing in the filed of personal injury, clinical negligence or defamation. If you are interested please send you CV to Gavin Foggo, our Hon. Secretary at gfoggo@foxwilliams.com.

Solicitors Journal and New Law Journal - Discounted Offers

As reported in earlier editions, although the administrative details are still to be finalised, we are in the process of agreeing a discount of 20% to LSLA members for their subscriptions to the Solicitors Journal and New Law Journal. We shall let you know when this has been agreed so that you can take advantage of the discount.

Renewal of Membership

Legal News

Two reports say Referral Fees are Not Detrimental to Clients

Both the Law Society and Lord Justice Jackson have made recent calls for the LSB to ban referral fees. However a report commissioned by the LSB and produced by Charles River Associates has said that referral fees do not harm clients and on a costs benefit analysis the existence of referral fees does not affect the quality of work clients receive.

 

Following the release of the LSB’s report, the Legal Services Consumer Panel also published its own report and called for action to tackle problems surrounding referral fees including greater disclosure of such fees (click here to view the report). A copy of the Consumer Panel’s finding on referral fees can be found at:

 

 

We wait to see how matter develops.

Recent Press

The LSLA has attracted some press over the past month including:

• 23 April, "Hard to Predict", New Law Journal. Seamus Smyth outlines the difficulty of envisaging future trends in litigation (click to view the pdf)
  
• 18 May 2010, “Kicking out the kick-backs” a report on the forthcoming Bribery Act by Nick Burkhill (click to view the pdf)
  
• 26 May 2010, Seamus Smyth opinion on the reports produced by the LSB and Legal Services Consumer panel was quoted in the Times Online (see http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article7136413.ece)
• 7 June 2010, An open letter from Seamus Smyth, LSLA President, to Ken Clarke, the Lord Chancellor (see http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article7145788.ece)