Editorial Archives
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30th June 2008
Fact meets fiction
Chairman of the Bar Criticises BBC drama series Criminal Justice
The Chairman of the Bar has criticised the inaccuracate depiction of the Bar in the drama series Criminal Justice which begins on BBC 1 this evening. In a strongly worded condemnation, Timothy Dutton QC said: "Criminal justice is not a game and it is a travesty to suggest that practitioners see it in that way."
The full text of the Press Release
| Podcast 61: With Chris Haywood - future barrister and musician
Today I am talking to Chris Haywood who has just completed his GDL and intends to do the BVC in September. Chris has joined the UK blawgers with his new blog “RocknLaw”…. and is a member of the band - PIANO.
We talk about the GDL, have a brief musical interlude with one of Piano’s songs - Home is where the heart is - talk about the band, music and then get back to a bit of Law. The podcast ends with another extract from Piano - Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Visit Charon QC Blawg for the podcast. |
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For a copy of Justin Patten's free guide to keeping disputes out of court - click here
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What are they writing about?...
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A new blawger from the UK has started a blog - RocknLaw. RocknLaw, who I am doing a podcast with later today combines law and music in his life.
Timothy Dutton QC, Chairman of The Bar Council, writes about ABS, Public Funding and Diversity
Capitalists@work has an interesting piece on manchester United under scrutiny. John Bolch, solicitor and author of Family Lore, wanders what he shall post about today. Political blogger, Guido Fawkes, has a "Pigs in Shit" rating system for dodgy donations and general sleaze in Parliament - worth reading.
The Inner Temple Current Awareness blog continues to provide extensive links to news stories. Carl Gardner, author of the Head of Legal blog, covers: R v G: charging policy and respect for private life.
Information Overlord covers: Ofcom less than impressed with GCap as fines radio owner £1m plus
24th June
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What are they writing about?...
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Nick Holmes of Binary Law notes the creation of Lex Monitor “a daily review of law blogs and journals highlighting prominent legal discussion as well as the lawyers and other professionals participating in this conversation.” LexMonitor pulls feeds from nearly 2,000 sources and 5,000 authors, classifies them and serves them up, sliced and diced by subject category, author etc or by tags. A quick glance at lex Monitor revealed a U.S. centric approach - possibly because quite a few UK law blogs, including my own Charon QC blog, don't actually have any law on them.
Geeklawyer is about to write Blawg Review 166 due on 30th June. Head of Legal continues with detailed coverage of EU and Constitutional issues - a great deal of new coverage.
John Bolch of Family Lore asks : Divorce-Online: The Way of the Future?
Lords of The Blog, the blog of several members of The House of Lords has an interesting post on protests: A clash over protests
In the Press today....
Not in our backyard! A Bill that threatens historic right to protest. The Independent.
The Independent reports that More than 60 Labour MPs are threatening to derail plans to weaken people's long-standing right to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations and airport runways in their own "backyards".
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Podcast 57: The Irish Referendum "NO" vote and The EU Lisbon Treaty.
A discussion with Carl Gardner, author of the Head of Legal blog, on the practical implications of the Irish "No" vote.
Listen to the podcast. |
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Podcast 56: With Carl Gardner on 42 days
We discuss: 42 days - The deals - What happens when it gets to the Lords and find time to look at what the Irish are doing with their referendum on The Lisbon Treaty. Listen to the podcast: In conversation with Carl Gardner on 42 days |
Carl Gardner posts: 42 days | More on 42 days | The Irish Referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty
In the Press today....
The foreign secretary, David Miliband, came close to declaring the EU Lisbon treaty dead yesterday as he urged European leaders to turn their back on "institutional reform" and instead address issues of concern to ordinary citizens. |
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What are they writing about?...
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Cearta, the Irish human rights blog, has an excellent 'Ulysses" themed blawg review. It is beautifully constructed and fascinating to read. The review gives a good picture of the variety o blogging out there and is worth a read. |
15th June
Breaking News from The Times:
Senior Tory David Davis to quit as an MP | Independent: David Davis's statement in full
The Times reports that "A multiple sclerosis sufferer won permission yesterday to bring a High Court challenge to clarify the law on assisted suicide.Two judges gave Debbie Purdy leave to challenge the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, QC, to issue a clear policy on whether and in what circumstances people might be prosecuted if they help loved ones to die".
John Bolch of Family Lore says "Stop the Nightmares". Geeklawyer "too busy to blog. Or breath. Or eat. Damn frickin’ litigation. Up to my ******* ears in appeals cross appeals and under and over appeals. Writing submissions and skeletons, witness statements and …". Capitalist@work says "Capitalism works. It really does".
Bystander JP, writing in his The Magistrate's blog, says: " From The High Court
A judge said this yesterday, in the case of Prince Jefri of Brunei: “If he is arrested he will have to come before me. It will take an advocate of great skill to persuade me that he should have bail.”
I wish I could say things like that and get away with it."
Family Law blogger seeks new pastures...
John Bolch, the prolific author of leading family law blog, Family Lore, is on the move. As he says: " I am now officially seeking new employment. So, if you're looking to employ an experienced family law hack, then I could be your man.
Read and contact |
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11th June
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Thought for today....
Not even Christ needed 42 days. |
In the Press today....
42 days....
The Times leads with the story that Gordon Brown appeared last night to be relying on opposition support to save himself from defeat in today’s cliffhanger vote on detaining terrorist suspects for 42 days. |
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10th June
Family Law blogger seeks new pastures...
John Bolch, the prolific author of leading family law blog, Family Lore, is on the move. As he says: " I am now officially seeking new employment. So, if you're looking to employ an experienced family law hack, then I could be your man.
Read and contact |
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What are they writing about?...
John Bolch of Family Lore looks at the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 and reflects on Fathers 4 Justice. |
Guido Fawkes notes that: "According to the Electoral Commission records, Den Dover's "service provider" company MP Holdings gave £1,200 to the North West Tories and printing worth £1,701 to the Chorley branch in 2004. Dover has personally given the party £57,000 since 2001."
Head of Legal asks: Are the Irish about to kill the Lisbon Treaty? Law Minx is "Gobsmacked". Bystander JP, of The Magistrates' blog, is "sorry to see that Inspector Gadget has bought into the neocon calumny of the 'liberal elite'. This imported phrase is lazy and dishonest, with overtones of a chippy Other Ranks mentality." Leading housing law blogger, Nearly Legal, has got hold of the case of X v Hounslow - but admits that he is sure what to make of it. Solicitors, PJHLaw, reflect on "Staff Retention".
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Andrew Keogh of White Rabbit has an excellent post on his blawg - Both of the YouTube films are worth a look, the first was very much to my rather dark taste.
LawBrief Update: Always worth reading - free - and you may sign up to get a ree weekly review written by barristers. Another very usefeul free resource. |
Interesting correspondence...
Lord Dholakia identifies the fact that "some of the correspondence we receive can leave one scratching one’s head. We receive some serious and sometimes heart-rending letters. However, some letters do leave you wondering what you are expected to do with them. Some of the stranger variety have a religious element, often without a return address. One letter I received was along the lines of: ‘I am the voice of God on earth. So are my two daughters. I have a problem with my local council.’ That was by no means untypical of some of the things we receive."
In the Press today....
The Telegraph reports that A leading Muslim organisation has given Gordon Brown a boost in his attempt to win a crucial Commons vote on raising the limit on detaining terror suspects to 42 days. |
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Independent: MEP 'used expenses to make donation to Tory party'. A senior Tory MEP channelled more than £750,000 of parliamentary allowances into a family firm which then gave donations to the Conservative Party, The Independent has established.
The Independent reports that Gordon Brown's fate in a crunch Commons vote tomorrow on the power to detain suspected terrorists for 42 days lies in the hands of a small group of wavering Labour MPs.
The Guardian has a feature - well worth reading: Every day, every move, we are pelted with more instructions - we're being bossed out of our minds
We have instruction overload. Put out bins and recycling on Monday for Tuesday. No plastic milk bottles, no Yellow Pages, no open lids
9th June 2008
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It appears that the type of biscuit served by a law firm to clients could affect the outcome of a deal...
West London Man phones his friend Hugo, a City Lawyer, to find out more. |
In the Press today...
The Times reports that "A solicitor who specialises in claiming compensation for sick coalminers has banked a personal profit of more than £30 million from the government-funded scheme. Jim Beresford is the head of a three-partner firm of Doncaster solicitors, Beresfords, which has been paid more than £140 million from the public purse for its work on coal miner health claims."
The Guardian reports that:The Guardian reports that A compulsory national identity card scheme could be used to monitor the movements of British citizens because of the dangers of "function creep", a committee of MPs warned yesterday.
6th June 2008
Geeklawyer notes: Shock: Brighton filth have a sense of humour.
Head of Legal notes: "The other French story concerns Sarko's legal axewoman Rachida Dati, the very sexy but somewhat dangerous minister of justice. She's got herself into trouble by initially defending the judgment of a court in Lille, which granted annulment of a marriage on the basis that the wife, who had claimed to be a virgin, had lied. As it happens, both parties were Muslims."
For those of you thinking about a career at the Bar - Simon Myerson QC's blog "Pupillage and how to get it" is a must read. The latest advice is on "Interviews".
And...finally... from the blogs for today.... you may enjoy reading this post from A woman of experience: Follow that man - a cautionary tale
What the papers are saying...
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The Times reports that The Conservative MEP charged by David Cameron with ensuring the probity of expenses claims admitted last night to breaking the rules by channelling thousands of pounds of allowances into a family company. Giles Chichester paid more than £400,000 for office services to a company of which he was a director. |
The Times Law Section reports: "Lady Justice Arden: not enough women judges. The Court of Appeal judge has launched a blistering attack over the continuing lack of women appointed to the bench."
Guardian: Facebook information 'should be regulated'
Telegraph: Council snoopers target residents
Times Law section is moving: From this week, The Times law supplement will be published on Thursday and will sit between the business and sport sections
Woolf: bullies made me hate injustice
The Times reports that Lord Woolf, the former Lord Chief Justice, has revealed how a painful childhood helped to shape him into one of Britain’s most liberal judges who outraged conservative opinion by paving the way for the early release of James Bulger’s killers.
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A truly bizarre legal news story from The Telegraph…. "Tens of thousands of prisoners are opting not to apply for early release amid allegations that Britain's prisons are now so comfortable that they are effectively "expensive bed and breakfasts"."
The news was seized upon by the Conservatives who described the mismanagement of prisons by Labour as "ludicrous". |
What is in the blawgs?...
The bloggers continue to experiment with twitter with some bizarre and unusual results. West London Man buys a shorts suit and worries about world food shortages.
Binary Law has a very useful post : RSS - endless possibilities … if only. John Bolch, author of Family Lore, has a thoughtful piece on domestic violence: No, you're not a 'survivor'. Lords of the Blog, the blog from some members of The House of Lords, is concerned about Demonstrations in the vicinity of Parliament. Lacklustre Lawyer is looking forward to a thoroughly enjoyable summer now that exams are over.
Political blogger Guido Fawkes notes wryly: "Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC is not really a beer and sandwiches man, so what was on the menu when he was seen slipping quietly into No. 10 yesterday afternoon? Well, the Labour Party has 27 days to find £7.45m due by the end of the month. Where else are they going to find it?"
Bystander JP, The Magistrate's Blog, has an amusing piece about the criminalisation of clairvoyants under new legislation. Worth a read. PJHLaw considers the "It's all or nothing" position in employment cases.
LawBrief Update: If you haven't signed up for this free news service proiduced by barristers - you may well wish to. It is excellent... and free. Have a look
Pink Tape, a blog written by a family law barrister, notes: "I’ve been meaning to make a short post about registration of births since going through the process myself with our newborn. Today it is reported that the arrangements are going to change."
3rd June 2008
Twittering...
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Nick Holmes, net and information guru, who writes The Binary Law blog and is the managing director of Infolaw, a legal information portal, feels that lawyers should be using Twitter to network and communicate. As a few bloggers have done, Charon is twittering away - to very little point thus far. |
In the press today...
Guardian: Revolt against 42 days crumbles. The Guardian leads with a report that The Labour revolt against the detention of terrorist suspects for 42 days without charge appeared to be crumbling last night after Jacqui Smith announced a series of concessions.
In the blogs today...
Blawg Review, the international carnival of law bloggers reports: Chicks, Sex, and Lawyers reports: Blawg Review #162 at the China Law Blog provides a global perspective on the best recent law blog posts, including this provocation: "The Blawgraphy writes compellingly on the similarities between the practice of law and chicken sexing."
John Bolch, solicitor and author of Family Lore, reports: "Interference by relatives is a perennial problem in family law, but I've never come across a case where relatives got a couple divorced without their knowledge!"
Geeklawyer wonders if we are "A nation of half-wit jobsworths?". Head of Legal, fresh from recent holidays, has an interesting piece: "42 days: ministers on the run." Political blogger Guido Fawkes ruins with a story: "Internal Poll of Labour Activists Says "Ditch Brown".
Naked Law, the blog from law firm Mills & Reeve, runs with the story: Expelliamus! JK Rowling has recently won a privacy ruling on behalf of her son.
29th May 2008
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Health & Safety laws are being taken very seriously indeed by Anglia Ruskin University. The newspapers report that students have been asked not to throw their mortar boards in the air — in case they HURT someone. Bosses at a university want to stop the age-old tradition of gleefully hurling headgear skywards on graduation day.They say someone could be "blinded or even worse" if one of the flat-topped hats fell on them. The solution of course, is for students to simply jump into the air wearing their mortar boards. |
In the press today...
Times: Documents reveal McCann neglect probe. The parents of Madeleine McCann are being investigated for possibly neglecting their daughter on the night she disappeared from their Portuguese holiday apartment.
Guardian: Crisis could bankrupt Labour leaders
Senior officials in the Labour party, including Gordon Brown, could become personally liable for millions of pounds in debt unless new donors can be found within weeks
In the blogs today...
Capitalists@work has an interesting post: Energywatch - See the Future. Family Law Week has a May round up. John Bolch of Family Lore reports on CAFCASS delays and failure. Geeklawyer asks if lead exposure is linked to criminality. Guido Fawkes writes that Labour is insolvent - 30 days from bankruptcy. The House of Lords blog, Lords of the Blog, reflects on the impact of committees. IMPACT, the blog from Freeth Cartwright, asks"Ruthless? Moi?"
Bystander JP, writing in The Magistrates' blog, has a detailed piece on knife crime. Nearly Legal picks up on interim accommodation and judicial review
"If as a Solicitor you represent yourself in Tribunal proceedings, as the cliche goes, you have a fool for a client." So writes PJHlegal in their employment law blog.
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Nihilism anyone?....Charon does a dark after dark podcast.
Gordon Brown appears to be retreating on several fronts. We shall see if he retreats on the proposal to extend the detention without charge limit from 28 to 42 days - or suffers another defeat. |
In the press today...
Children in divorce and separation cases are being left at risk of abuse because of serious failings by social workers dealing with their cases, according to a watchdog. A report seen by The Times discloses how a backlog of cases is leaving children vulnerable, particularly in family breakdowns involving domestic violence and abuse
No need to panic, he admires lawyers: Frances Gibb meets the first chairman of the new Legal Services Board who promises to get involved only when he has to. How to be gay at a City firm: Clifford Chance's Stephen Shea on coming out of the closet
Tis the season...says Legal Week...
As law firm financial reporting season hits us once more Legal Week Wiki revives the rolling results table, updated as they come in. How has your firm do
In the blogs today...
Timothy Dutton QC, Chairman of The Bar Council reports (23/5/08): "I am glad to report that there has been good progress with the ever-present VHCC issue. The BC met with Jack Straw, Lord Hunt, the Law Society, and the Legal Services Commission (LSC) on 24 April to discuss the concerns. Jack Straw readily accepted the importance of maintaining quality advocacy in these difficult cases.
The author of the Free Movement blog considers the case of N v The United Kingdom. A thoughtful piece on an important topic of human rights. As the author says... "It is not a pleasant subject."
Ruthie of Ruthie's Law writes.... Litigation: it’s all about the fight
23rd May 2008
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The Independent reports that Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, is accused by the Police of 'betrayal'. Police Federation chairman Jan Berry is reported as saying " "Your recent crimes have been more for the serious fraud office than the drug squad." The reference to the drug squad is in reference to Jacqui Smith's admission some time ago in relation to the use of cannabis when she was a student. The Police are not happpy about their pay and one delegate shouted out " Give us our money". The long-running row over pay peaked in January as an estimated 22,000 officers marched on Westminster after the decision to introduce a 2.5 per cent pay rise in stages, effectively reducing the overall award to 1.9 per cent.
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The Bar Council reports (19th May) : Bogus Chambers website
The Bar Council has received reports of a disturbing development in internet fraud. A bogus chambers website has been created, complete with members of the Bar, and practice areas. There are contact numbers and email addresses for visitors. The website is professional in appearance. A search has indicated that it was created in Nigeria.The Member of the Bar who is listed as being the head of Chambers has asked the Bar Council not to publicise the address of the bogus website at this point. However, members of the Bar should be aware of this development.
In the blogs today....
Binary Law has a post about Twittering for lawyers. Bloody Relations, the family blog, notes that humour is fairly rare in the daily round of family law - but has an amusing post today - One deity at a time. Guido Fawkes, the political blogger notes that Gordon Brown did not jinx the football match last night - Last Night and the Jonah Brown Effect. Head of Legal, who has been blogging on holiday, is about to return to the UK. His reports from the US are worth a look. Lord Norton, writing in the House of Lords blog, expresses the view, in relatioin to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - "Had commentators bothered to follow and report the debates in the Lords, a great deal of the debate of the past week or so would have been far better informed.
Current Awareness, the updater and news service from The Inner Temple Library has it all from "Mother fined £300 for putting bins out early - Daily Telegraph" to "Knife crime is epidemic, top judge claims - Daily Telegraph"
Bystander JP, of The Magistrate's blog, as usual, has a sharp observation to make. Today... I quote in full: "This is a piece of nonsensical bullying by Police who should know better. Being a charitable type of fellow, I am tempted to give the PCs the benefit of the doubt, by assuming that the officer concerned is a tad short-sighted, and misread the third letter of 'cult' as an 'n'.
21st May 2008
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The search for Sir Ken McDonald's apprentice is on...
It used to be seen as a poisoned chalice — now it is one of the plum jobs in the criminal justice system. Frances Gibb, legal editor of The Times reports that the search is on for a new DPP as Sir Ken McDonald QC announces that he is stepping down. |
In the press today....
MPs vote to preserve the 24 week limit for abortion and single women and lesbian couples won landmark parental rights last night as MPs voted to remove the requirement that fertility clinics consider a child’s need for a father. Times
Independent: Gay student who faced execution in Iran granted asylum in Britain
In the blogs today...
Apart from Charon doing his bit for democracy - there is some serious commentary. Chancery Chatter writes: "A fascinating case popped up on my daily Lawtel update yesterday: Gregson v HAE Trustees & Others. The case addressed two issues, the most interesting being whether or not a "dog-leg" claim could succeed." Capitalists@work writes: " Some of you who read this are no doubt investors in stocks and shares. I read with interest yesterday about the latest wheeze by the LSE to boost their flagging AIM market."
Bloody Relations, the family law blog, has a poignant report today: In memory of Tom & Nancie Hughes. John Bolch, author of Family Lore, celebrates his 101st post on the subject divorce with Divorce 101. Bystander JP, of The Magistrates' blog, has a Mixed Day. Naked Law, the blog from Mills & Reeve, asks: Is it bad Phorm? The Landlord Law blog says Stand your ground on damage deposit claims.
PJHLaw, the employment law specialists, write about Statutory Dismissal Procedure and Redundancy.
And finally... White Rabbit serves up Last Tango in Balmoral. NOT office safe.
20th May 2007
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Are we sleepwalking into a surveillance society?
The Information Commissioner seems to think so and has warned about the increasing use of surveillance in our society. Now, we learn from The Times today, the government plans to have a massive database holding details of every phonecall and email - and time spent on the internet. The article is worth reading. Given the ability of the present government to maintain security of our records (The HMRC fiasco when they lost 25 million records comes to mind) this is a matter of concern. ID cards are on the way. Is this the way we want to live? Are the terrorists winning - because they are frightening the hell out of government - or is just a case of the government wanting to keep tabs on people - a means of social control? |
In the press today....
The Times leads with a headline: ‘Big Brother’ database plan for every e-mail and call: "A massive government database holding details of every phone call, e-mail and time spent on the internet by the public is being planned as part of the fight against crime and terrorism."
Surprise, surprise. The Times reports that Iraq 'has world's largest oil reserves'
Frances Gibb, legal editor of The Times, reports: Thumbs down for designer robe. Like the new gown for judges? You're in the minority; splutterings of dismay and derision are far more common. Charon, it appears, falls into the Mr Justice Startrek camp.
In the blogs today...
Tim Kevan, the surfing writer of the Barrister blog, takes time away from the waves to report: Wipeout for Gordon. John Bolch of Family Lore has an interesting piece entitled: A Frightening Prospect. A taster for you: " These people are real nutjobs, but they need to be taken seriously, as they already wield considerable power, and they are seeking even greater power."
Family Law Week notes the appointment of the new Family Law Commissioner. Geeklawyer has spotted, in The Metro, a world known spirtualist who may well prove to be useful to those contemplating litigation.
19th May 2008
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Charon's Weekly Review considers... The involvement of M15 in the Max Mosley SM hobby affair - and reviews the events of the week. West London Man (5) is published in audio and text. The audio version has music and realistic sound effects. Ruthie's Law hosts Blawg Review # 160 - a good read. |
In the legal press today...
The Guardian reports that "Attempts by BAE to escape allegations of corruption in Saudi arms deals seemed to have failed last night as the arms company admitted that FBI agents had picked up its chief executive, Mike Turner, and served subpoenas on him and US colleagues."
The Independent reports that "backbench Labour critics of Gordon Brown plan to try to oust him by declaring he has lost the support of his MPs if he fails to revive his party's general election prospects."
In the blogs today....
Android's Reminiscences has a useful review ofblogs and the concerns of 'student law bloggers'. Capitalists@work has an excellent business round-up. John Bolch of Family Lore runs with a story about a Saudi woman wanting to divorce her husband because he committed the heinous crime of trying to look at her face. PJHLaw, the employment solicitors, consider the issue of 'suitable alternative employment'. Nearly Legal, a specialist blog on Housing Law, has some useful 'Snippets'.
Some bad news.... Reactionary Snob, the robust Edinburgh advocate - is taking a break from blogging. He says that he may return. I do hope so.
More news archives.....
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News archive from the past 2-3 days