LSLA | September 2010

London Solicitors Litigation Association

Welcome to the LSLA newsletter. We set out below details of some of our most recent activities and those we have planned for the future. We also refer to some legal issues which might affect you.
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LSLA News

Annual Dinner

A date for your diary: the Association’s Annual Dinner will be held at the Law Society on 23 November 2010. Further details will follow in our next edition.

Autumn Lecture Series

You can find notes from some of our spring lectures on our website. We are currently compiling the seminar programme for the autumn and details will be available shortly.

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 is to be repeated 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. (http://www.lsla.co.uk/news2/latest_news/)

Jackson Report

Jonathan Djanogly MP has announced the Government’s intention to consult on the implementation of Lord Justice Jackson’s recommendations and that the consultation is due to take place in the autumn.

List of Supervising Solicitors

The Committee is currently compiling a list of solicitors who can accept an appointment to as supervising solicitors in relation to search orders.

American Bar Association’s Section of International Law: Fall Meeting

The Association will be a cooperating entity at the Fall Meeting to be held from 2 to 6 November at The Westin, Paris.

Renewal of Membership

Renewal forms were sent out to members in July.

Legal News

E-Disclosure

The Rules Committee has revised and now approved a new version of the e-disclosure practice direction and questionnaire and copies are available on our website. Download the Word document

Consultation Papers

Proposed Court Closures

The Ministry of Justice has announced its proposals to modernise and improve the use of Courts. It has launched a consultation seeking views on its proposals to close 103 magistrates’ and 54 County Court, which it says are “underused and inadequate”. Included within the list of proposed Court closures are Mayor’s and City of London Court and Ilford County Court, which many of you might use.

A copy of the consultation paper can be found at http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/docs/proposal-on-the-provision-of-magistrates-and-county-court-services-london-fiinal.pdf

The closing date for responses is 15 September 2010. The LSLA will be sending a questionnaire to members seeking their views on and reaction to the proposed closure of the Mayor’s and City of London Court.

The Bar Council - Contractual Terms Consultation

The Bar Council has released a Consultation Paper in which it sets out its proposed changes to introduce a new basic form of contract to be recommended by barrister and solicitors and
to replace the existing Terms of Work and the 2001 Terms. The New Contractual Terms set out the respective responsibilities of solicitor and barrister and create a legal/contractual liability for the payment of fees and a clear means of enforcement.

A copy of the Consultations papers can be seen at http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/consultations/ContractualTermsConsultation

The LSA has been considering a response. If you would like your view to be included please email Lucy McKinley at lucymckinley041@btinternet.com.

Recent Press

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

19 July 2010, Solicitors Journal, "Keep Calm and Carry On" by Georgina Squire and Juliet Schalkner discussing the implications of the decision in Levicom International Holdings BV and another –v- Linklaters.
22 July 2010, Law Society Gazette, David Greene commenting on the forensic investigation in relation to electronic data.

Current Issues

SJ -Gaining Control by James Maton

February 2012 - MOJ Consultation Paper CP19/2011 - Appointments and Diversity 'A Judiciary for the 21st Century' A Public Consultation

Joint Response Of The LSLA, Commercial Bar Association, Chancery Bar Association, London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association, and City Of London Law Society