The long protracted affair over Abu Qatada seems to be finally heading to a close with the King of Jordan formally endorsing a treaty, which has now been formally approved by the UK parliament. The treaty guarantees a fair trial in Jordan for the radical cleric.
The most senior judge in the country, Lord Neuburger has warned that Legal Aid cuts may not lead to significant savings as the cost of unrepresented litigants and long hearings would offset any of the proposed savings. His stark warning lays out a grim vision of a two tier justice system, barristers and solicitors serving two groups of clients, one rich, corporate and perfectly capable of affording the litigation costs and the other group, consisting of the poor and disenfranchised, which in time may lead to UK courts being reserved for just the most influential. The comments by the senior judge were in response to proposals from the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, to introduce price-competitive tendering in contracts to represent defendants during criminal trials, restrict legal aid and make it harder to bring judicial review challenges.
The real cost of these cuts are probably yet to be felt as protest continued outside the parliament on a regular basis throughout June. Lord Neuberger's version of what is to come is perhaps a sad grim, yet inevitable reality.
This week, a convicted robber from Southend, Ricky Kerry leapt from the dock and fled a court as a judge was about to send him to jail. Sadly the security guards never caught up with with the swift 19 year old. This column hopes that the authorities would catch up with him soon. Alas the fate of Legal Aid is sealed, no catching up or repealing of Mr Grayling's reforms.
The purpose of this column is to take a serious look at what happened in the business of law within UK as reported by online legal publications throughout last week.
TheLawMap interview with CPS Lawyer & Novelist Mark Holmes on writing, law & Pro Bono.
The most interesting articles on developments, compliance, business of law within UK or as well as international developments of interest to UK law firms and legal practioners:
- Review of how LASPO has influenced the funding landscape of family litigation (Pt 2) | New Law Journal: http://t.co/El9dFt19id
- Legal work quality remains high despite job market fears | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/5WheKakfvm
- Businesses failing to protect intellectual property online | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/Q60bZyxjSw
- Society of Conservative Lawyers attacks price competitive tendering | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/8oIii2nNcU
- Busy week for the supreme court justices, bad week for government | The Bundle - Guardian Law's review of the week http://t.co/EQjglkLIDR
- Grieve’s two-tier arrogance | Law Gazette http://t.co/tAPN9DPKo9
- Thirty of UK’s top law firms in financial trouble | Financial Post http://t.co/6sflZHnf0P
- Justice Minister Lord McNally: If you live in a bubble, you're not going to persuade people | Head of Legal http://t.co/YwFYONBd7L
- Justice ministry outsourcing could lead to 'train crash', says watchdog http://t.co/tFEpGInSoy
- Law firm bids to 'consumerise' advice to SMEs with legal and non-legal services | Legal Futures http://t.co/h2J5NMhuEI
- Interpreters set up free law firm panel to help non-English speakers | Legal Futures http://t.co/ssekDkyE99
- "Astonishing" letter from Attorney General hints at government split over legal aid reform | Legal Futures http://t.co/lZCerYJS8s
- Salford civil claims process ‘improving’, manager claims | Law Gazette http://t.co/5MEhtn1sdF
- Time limits mooted for pre-Jackson ATE | Law Gazette http://t.co/m5sc8laLp0
- Bar complaints-handling ‘prompt, thorough and fair’ says report | Law Gazette http://t.co/q8q9mBpceX
- New QualitySolicitors service remains a mystery | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/H7RBwJkclD
- Law Society makes peace with Christian Concern over banned conference | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/5Zvr1nh0Eo
- Conveyancer barred from law firm work after £37,000 theft | Law Gazette http://t.co/WM2KrZaF9j
- Good to talk? Not for PI firms | Law Gazette http://t.co/oOLRHggQv2
- Attorney General Dominic Grieve defends disparity in publicly funded lawyers’ rates | Law Gazette http://t.co/DG4r1ldYFZ
- Government promise to toughen up referral fee ban if ABSs are being used to get around it | Legal Futures http://t.co/dOqJBbCWmC
- SRA and Legal Services Board tussle over ABS application process | Legal Futures http://t.co/nNJG1jJVB4
- A car crash of a hearing | Law Gazette http://t.co/mDu7xbNoai
- First UK charges in Libor scandal | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/VUzeXn7Uth
- Consumer panel promises ‘long game’ on will regulation | Law Gazette http://t.co/6Tmt0Ilp9s
- Hundreds face ‘unrated cycle’ as PI insurer fails | Law Gazette http://t.co/rvO5T8uaSY
- Filling the gap: the rise of pro bono justice http://t.co/EJzgqUITWA
- Neuberger defends judges’ right to speak out on cuts | Law Gazette http://t.co/ncu805cy1z
- Legal aid cuts ‘will drive out the best’, Lord Neuberger warns | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/eQAyvUlTwa
- Legal profession must do more to improve ethnic diversity, says Supreme Court president | The Independent http://t.co/wKOoLwHmZ1
- Killer jailed for ‘calculated execution’ of solicitor | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/BYv2GVvBb5
- Appeal judges reject intervention human rights claim against SRA | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/ZLwauqMUUZ
- Balva wound-up over capital adequacy concerns | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/kQiaEwBJs3
- Fresh concerns over unrated insurers after Balva suspension | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/5i6sogqEhg
- Prison term sought for quoting Society charity report | Law Gazette http://t.co/4rmDAjKqSK
- Law firms and cause-related marketing | Law Gazette http://t.co/lMZ65IK8Jf
- Wiltshire solicitor’s murderer jailed for 28 years | Law Gazette http://t.co/FWg9JZxB4Q
- Close down CMCs tomorrow - Desmond Hudson | Law Gazette http://t.co/Ls2MIdnfFa
- A round-up of recent global deals and the lawyers who made them happen | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/Xp7plbDLnS
- Personal injury lawyers refute whiplash claims | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/BJ8B7N9gBE
- SFO may charge key Libor trader | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/9D8t8ooKul
- 1,300 firms at risk after Latvian insurer Balva forced to call in liquidators | The Lawyer http://t.co/o9RlVxVa11
- Highest percentage of women appointed High Court judges | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/J7DcwFtw4v
- Part-time partners: why the legal profession is changing http://t.co/xVzJMu5sez
- European collective redress | Law Gazette http://t.co/EicNSOPcah
- Legal aid champion Carol Storer, director Legal Aid Practitioners Group, in Queen's birthday honours | Law Gazette http://t.co/kMrBPDROLM
- Commission welcomed Supreme Court ruling on armed forces and human rights protection | The Firm http://t.co/zMk4rKX6S8
- Lords Select Committee calls for written evidence on inquiries | New Law Journal: http://t.co/CMR2KeeVeu
- Supreme Court President issues warning over judicial review cuts | New Law Journal: http://t.co/G6r6483Pnk
- Market trends: impact of "bedroom tax" on housing lawyers | New Law Journal: http://t.co/muECWmnvcB
- Action on wills regulation: IPW gets tough on will-writers | New Law Journal: http://t.co/WRFrYc1hgn
- Business gets better for conveyancers | New Law Journal: http://t.co/xUXk6lOPeL
- Benchmark for female judges: Stronger showing for women in High Court judge recommendations | New Law Journal: http://t.co/ZH42sjsNJO
- Family Division define meaning of new test for permitting expert evidence | New Law Journal: http://t.co/aR7C8kxgEr
- Indemnity expert calls for rule change as Latvian insurer is suspended | New Law Journal: http://t.co/xhLwjVl7Vl
- Profits squeeze as top-50 firms open results season | Law Gazette http://t.co/dEZ9QuRacT
- UK judges may quit over pension cuts | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/Vj1h8ySxit
- Small firms must dodge unrated insurer cycle, says Law Society | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/jBV0xWOQOm
- SRA will consider "fast-tracking" ABS applications aimed at price competitive tendering | Legal Futures http://t.co/wufotEWX9D
- Law Society kicks out committee members who failed to undergo E&D training | Legal Futures http://t.co/5dfnhF5COm
- Who will be our Lehman Brothers? | Law Gazette http://t.co/aqdjcqz5eu
- SC’s judgment treads the fine line between burden of proof and the corporate veil in divorce disputes | The Lawyer http://t.co/xBNKevReUL
- Advising overseas buyers or tenants on UK property deals is fraught with danger | The Lawyer http://t.co/bVw8uuNr7e
- Judges seem to be taking the Jackson reforms seriously and getting tough on the causes of inefficiency | The Lawyer http://t.co/kW4rot9Ilt
- German courts are coming down on the side of liquidators | The Lawyer http://t.co/1kMQLNURxI
- Don't stand still - reticence amongst solicitors towards the new costs budgeting regime | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/J9aaV9ZvHz
- Office of solicitor general should be held by, er, a solicitor? | Law Gazette http://t.co/vHVV9enGUt
- Old Bailey offers peek at ‘Dead Man’s Walk’ | Law Gazette http://t.co/7dXIiT3MiP
- Consumer rights boost welcomed by Society | Law Gazette http://t.co/BQIQ0dES06
- Family lawyers divided over Prest decision | Law Gazette http://t.co/X4CrIo5I6G
- Mystery surrounds legal training report | Law Gazette http://t.co/CVLg0ucdB8
- Carbon footprint down 7% in legal sector | Law Gazette http://t.co/W6MuenGwif
- Jackson prompts spurt in law firm start-ups | Law Gazette http://t.co/Eaqut0049x
- Legal aid cuts ‘end high-profile BME cases’ | Law Gazette http://t.co/Eh6YM5dzsC
- How To: be a COLP | Law Gazette http://t.co/9VntKiqkcs
- Trademarks in toys and games – part two | Law Gazette http://t.co/msCC1xy6xa
- Judges could quit over pensions | Law Gazette http://t.co/lvAbV9nhSD
- Hunt begins for new SRA chief | Law Gazette http://t.co/ogD55jwya6
- Hudson questions SRA’s firm finances disclosure | Law Gazette http://t.co/lXb9acV3sm
- CoA rules against FSCS in landmark compensation policy ruling | The Lawyer http://t.co/Lz1EwOp1gr
- PI firm reprimanded for "irresponsible" radio spot as Law Society prepares £300k ad campaign | Legal Futures http://t.co/ZCn24aSgAc
- The Lawyer Asia Pacific 150 | The Lawyer http://t.co/WYvdnlen4F
- Official secrets | Legal Futures http://t.co/a5jVJAqDRv
- SDT rulings send out warning to law firms over relationships with debt recovery companies | Legal Futures http://t.co/sWJwprfeYa
- Consumers "still see lawyers as too expensive", says research | Legal Futures http://t.co/3szyDvectR
Interesting articles on the study of law, legal training, pupillage, associates, legal academia & law students:
- Law Schools: Get Back to Basics - students need more opportunities to engage in practical legal writing http://t.co/MUsO9jefpf
- University of Law launches monthly payment scheme http://t.co/dd0DEXpqvA
- Alternative careers for UK law graduates: The President of IRAN: http://t.co/3ZMFddDpOI
- US Law Graduates Finding More Jobs at Big Firms, Study Finds http://t.co/uS8uYt9XK4
- US Unpaid Interns and the Law http://t.co/eKwg4voGQL
- Students can spread cost of studies http://t.co/JdkIcOubr9
- Can US Law School Grading Be More Fair? http://t.co/eGOJZYr1Jo
Articles of the week:
The UK and international articles of the week are pieces selected by @TheLawMap tweeting team based on recommendations from friends and followers of LawNewsIndex.com daily law news blog.
- Legal Aid cuts - what has changed? | Laura Gray - The BBC
- In Muhammad Ali’s Voice From the Past, a Stand for the Ages | William C Rhoden - The New York Times
- Why NSA surveillance is a threat to British doctors and lawyers | Ross Anderson - The Guardian
- Domestic violence or lover's tiff: when the ugly side of passion rears its head | Allison Pearson - The Telegraph
- Civil liberties: surveillance and the state | Editorial - The Guardian
- Justice is the new front in war on global poverty | FT.com
Lawyers, Law Firms, Chambers & ABS in the news this week:
Friday 21th June
- King & Wood Mallesons appoints new Australian corporate head http://t.co/FOuq2qgjm6
- Seddons names Simon Ross as new managing partner http://t.co/Cxmfu4yCER
- Facebook finds successor for GC role as Ted Ullyot departs http://t.co/c9lAzy3vYi
- TLT turns to DLA Piper again for IP partner ahead of Manchester launch http://t.co/Rh83EIRxT3
- Freshfields, White & Case among advisers on UK debuts for China's Wanda http://t.co/QV404eyFrC
- 39 Essex Street elects new joint head of chambers http://t.co/UusUqZANAS
- New clients for Addleshaws and Hogan Lovells on £50m Gym deal http://t.co/8P9qcGaQEd
- Eversheds’ former China chief heads to Shanghai for GC role http://t.co/nh5RS4DN0k
- Top litigators group launches in Moscow in bid to boost UK influence in Russian courts http://t.co/Brx8D2KV03
- Morisons and HBJ Gateley lead advice on Hearts administration http://t.co/a3Ryuozq8e
- QualitySolicitors shifts direction with new CEO http://t.co/FvMiO3wlSl
- FFW snares longstanding Taylor Wessing partner in three-lawyer swoop http://t.co/wJcCXmfbHO
- Lawyer Sarosh Zaiwala notched success in the Supreme Court, with major ramifications on international banking http://t.co/Tskbk8vTBc
- Former Linklaters legal services supervisor faces fraud charge http://t.co/jgoNyGlIXX
- Freshfields leads on £1bn Chinese purchase of yacht maker and hotel http://t.co/nKMkiS1ZV5
- Dundee Solicitor censured for ‘reckless’ conveyancing http://t.co/7LdN1Zvh63
- ASA Adjudication on Stobart Barristers Ltd by Advertising Standards Authority http://t.co/dUIwGe1fdd
- DAC Beachcroft launches redundancy consultations across employment and pensions groups http://t.co/RGrD9PkeMQ
- Solicitor loses Supreme Court battle over office car park http://t.co/zE8MKT90Bc
- Olympic gold medalist Hosking to join Freshfields as trainee http://t.co/R8CyHxjWtM
- Pinsents sees post-merger turnover boost http://t.co/YyoWt0EZIn
- Nikko AM names chief legal officer ahead of Tokyo IPO http://t.co/Zxzvl8BgrX
- Norton Rose Fulbright partner exits for Clifford Chance http://t.co/3X6M4ATrGE
- DWF snares DLA Piper corporate team following Glasgow closure http://t.co/EWLTWyvIYJ
- BLP's Lawyers on Demand expands service with launch of On Call http://t.co/3DHOyZrEIW
- Paul Hastings hires Fried Frank securities chief in NY http://t.co/Wg4fHGhFGo
- Clydes launches fourth US base with Atlanta opening today http://t.co/JPXKRiXhqi
- Mills & Reeve picks up DLA insurance team in Birmingham http://t.co/q4MDJar7ED
- A&O turns to Visa Europe GC for Brussels antitrust hire http://t.co/Emz30ypDu9
- Addleshaws to drive down costs with process-mapping roll out http://t.co/pE4h0X1fdf
- Taylor Wessing to put 96 secretarial roles in redundancy consultation http://t.co/ya36FEWCgg
- International expansion sees Osborne Clarke grow revenues 14% http://t.co/KxGZKsUpGT
- A&O leads on Co-op Bank's £1.5bn restructuring plan and listing http://t.co/SuCsTApblK
- Skadden lawyer to lead Guantanamo shutdown http://t.co/vgRl5MR3PR
- Bird & Bird confirms hire of FFW's Abell http://t.co/xRZALGGJT1
- SJ Berwin revenue rises as firm prepares for 10 per cent PEP drop http://t.co/sW11hWEMLD
- Osborne Clarke revenues rise to £112m, growth slows in the UK http://t.co/38Rja0oh44
- A&O, Linklaters advise as Co-op unveils £1.5bn restructuring plan http://t.co/5WV7KVkBDs
- Herbert Smith Freehills London tax litigator exits for Hogan Lovells http://t.co/GKsMiGW9wQ
Monday 17th June
- Clyde & Co hires new litigation partner from Manches http://t.co/8wyXAMAgKW
- Pinsents smashes £300m barrier with revenues of £309m http://t.co/6NRsx5GDHL
- Eversheds eyes expansion for Africa network http://t.co/hMy6cWCDZV
- Asia Pacific 150: HSF overtakes Bakers as biggest international firm in the region http://t.co/syfZLrYnXw
We would like to thank all the publications cited in this week's column. Please notify via @TheLawMap Twitter handle of any errors or omissions.
TheLawMap Publications at a glance:
LawNewsIndex.com - Daily Law News Archive
SundayLawReview.com - Weekly Law Business News Blog
Saturday Law Interview - Weekly interview with a legal mind on Law, Life & Society
Wig - Daily Newspaper Focusing on Law & Society
MetaLawIndex - Informal Blog chronicling life behind the scene at LawNewsIndex & Twitter