Blogs & opinions

Cold comfort
Telephone cold calls are the latest business practice to come under the spotlight. Should we ban them?

The way the money goes
How far can Government pursue intelligent savings, rather than just cuts and more cuts?

The better path?
The legal profession in England & Wales is coming to appreciate aspects of our model in Scotland

ARTL: taking a stand
Are solicitors justified in resisting the pressure to automate?

Where now for Lord Gill?
The civil courts review proposals must be pushed forward despite the public spending constraints

Let the members have their say
Constitution changes need to protect rights

The great constitution turnoff?
Even recent events have not prompted many responses to the consultation

Lessons from others' reform efforts
Council membership changes could enhance effective representation of solicitors

Constitution "in serious need of overhaul"
Current standing orders unable to deliver results needed

Society's constitution must be modernised
Lay members help profession stay in touch with public

A stitch in time
Could earlier discussions on police interviews not have saved a lot of hassle?

What did you do in the hols? - We talked
Lengthy agenda for Society and Government before bill finalised

Section 92 has its teeth drawn
Final stage 2 sitting amends Society provisions

Useful exchanges at judicial appointments seminar
Interested audience - but gender balance as before

Will writer concerns recognised in stage 2 amendments
Commentary on Justice Committee's third sitting on amendments to the bill

Inside view from Down Under
New South Wales commissioner tells of ABS experience

Committee keeping us guessing
Justice Committee sitting this week leaves key issues unresolved

Justice Committee backs compromise proposal
Commentary on the stage 2 committee sitting of 15 June

Guarantee Fund: negotiations continue
The Society is pressing the Government to accept that only practices that it regulates should have a claim on the fund

MSPs going for wider view
First stage 2 debate suggests bill will be permissive

The Australian approach – another angle
A comparison of statutory safeguards for lawyers' independence

Constitution reform now a priority
Proposals are about to go to consultation - look out for the next e-bulletin

The legal landscape – looking with new eyes
In an address delivered at Said Business School, Oxford, the LSEW President reviews the changes in England & Wales under the Legal Services Act, and questions whether the balance in the fragile legal "ecosystem" has been disturbed

Pro bono needs a conversion of hearts
Proposal for compulsion likely to be counterproductive