Monday 27 May 2013

The director of public prosecutions wants police forces to have 'wriggle room' to allow them to name some arrested suspects, despite guidelines preventing the naming of suspects until charged. In his final planned appearance as director before the Commons Justice Committee, Keir Starmer QC (pictured) said: 'I'm for a blanket rule on charge; I'm not for a blanket rule on arrest.'

Salford centre user meetings

The Salford-based County Court Money Claims Centre is about to start user meetings in a drive to improve its widely criticised service levels. The first meeting is on 17 June.

Law Society council member for civil litigation Keith Etherington would like to hear from solicitors with feedback and suggestions.

MoJ wants views on EU

The Ministry of Justice has called on civil and family lawyers to submit views on how EU laws and regulations affect practice in the UK. It is part of a two-year review by the coalition to examine what is referred to as the balance of competencies between the UK and EU, and gather evidence on the impact that EU law has on domestic policy.

Views should be emailed to balanceofcompetences@justice.gsi.gov.uk by 5 August.

City merger off

International firms Speechly Bircham and Withers dropped merger plans after almost two months of talks. The firms had entered 'preliminary discussions' over creating a joint practice with over 600 lawyers.

QASA deadline extended

The Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed that the deadline for the first phase of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates has been extended by two months. But the future of the scheme appears in jeopardy after five of the six bar circuits voted to boycott it.

Plea for patent court

The Law Society of Scotland has recommended that the Court of Session retain jurisdiction over patent cases under the new EU unitary patent system.

The Intellectual Property Bill paves the way for a unitary patent court system in the UK. The Society said Scotland should be allocated one of up to four possible local divisions of the court, to 'ensure that businesses operating in Scotland are not unduly disadvantaged by no longer having a local option to enforce or defend their rights'.

Means test criticised

Government plans to means-test waivers for civil court or tribunal fees could adversely affect the most deprived and vulnerable sections of society, the Civil Justice Council warned.