Thursday 09 May 2013

Over 80% of family lawyers turn to social media to find evidence of infidelity and other behaviour relating to their clients. A survey by internet reputation company GotJuice.co.uk said that two-thirds of such evidence is now gleaned from Facebook.

Townsend stepping down

Antony Townsend, chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, announced he will step down later this year. Townsend, who has headed the SRA from its inception, said: 'After seven years it is a good time for me to move on, so I will leave once my successor has been appointed.'

Committee reviews hourly rates

The Costs Committee of the Civil Justice Council has met for the first time as it seeks to review the nature of guideline hourly rates. The committee, formed of senior judges and representatives from all sides of the civil litigation debate, will make recommendations to the master of the rolls by January 2014.

Prison plans a 'smokescreen'

Measures announced by government to toughen the prison regime were criticised by the chair of the Association of Prison Lawyers. Andrew Sperling described the announcement as a 'smokescreen' to divert attention from the debate about legal aid changes.

SRA launches diversity survey

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has begun its annual diversity survey, sending out questionnaires to firms. They are obliged to give all of their staff the opportunity to complete the questionnaires and report back to the SRA online by January 2014.

Cross-border cases rise ten-fold

The number of cross-border family legal disputes referred to a UK judge has grown ten-fold in a decade and more than doubled in the past two years, according to the Office of the Head of International Family Justice.

tinyurl.com/cy5hqq8

Vote for QASA boycott

The Wales and Chester circuit became the second of the seven bar circuits to vote to boycott the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates. In a ballot of 180 members, 177 voted not to sign up to the scheme, which is due to begin in September.

Secular cash prize

The Lawyers Secular Society is offering a £300 prize for the best student essay on the subject 'Sharia: What's Going On?'

tinyurl.com/brg47uw

EU judges appeal

The Lords Justice, Institutions and Consumer Protection EU sub-committee urged the Court of Justice of the EU to appoint additional judges and advocates general to avoid the risk of unacceptable delay.