Friday 13 April 2012

The Serious Fraud Office recovered over £50m of assets in 2010/11, according to its annual report, up from £42.5m the previous year. The office had a budget of £36.8m.

Holiday juror jailed

A juror has been jailed for 56 days after calling in sick from holiday in Malta. Janet Chapman, 52, flew out on holiday three weeks into a robbery trial at Preston Crown Court, having been given a doctor's medical note for a back problem the day before.

New top-100 firm

London firms Wedlake Bell and Cumberland Ellis have completed a merger that creates one of the top 100 law firms by turnover. The combined firm will operate under the name Wedlake Bell and have 54 partners.

Guardian appointed

Alan Eccles has been appointed as the new public guardian and chief executive of the Office of the Public Guardian. Eccles, a barrister, was formerly HM Courts and Tribunals Service delivery director for London.

Borough merger

Harrow and Barnet councils will create a shared legal practice from July, following approval by the two London boroughs' cabinets last week. The move, which will not involve any lawyer redundancies, is expected to save £4.4m over five years.