All Feature articles – Page 100

  • hand writing capacity
    Feature

    Year of decision

    2016-07-21T12:59:00Z

    Anna Bicarregui and Alex Ruck Keene review the most important cases of the past year relating to the assessment of mental capacity, and to the consequences of being found to lack capacity both inside the Court of Protection and at common law

  • lesley king 84x84
    Feature

    Back to Basics: Lifetime gifts

    2016-07-21T12:56:00Z

    Lifetime gifts are made for a number of reasons, two of the most common being generosity and a wish to save inheritance tax. Lesley King looks at the matters to consider in order for the gift to be valid.

  • Julie Butler
    Feature

    Escape route

    2016-07-21T12:47:00Z

    Following recent changes to the current system of tax relief for buy-to-let investors, landlords now face a punishing tax regime if they stay in the market. Julie Butler suggests a way out: changing the status of the property to a furnished holiday letting

  • robert marshall 84x84
    Feature

    Drawing interest

    2016-07-21T12:45:00Z

    In the first of a series of articles focusing on common errors in private client work, Robert Marshall looks at how to avoid the pitfalls involved in drafting life interest trusts in wills

  • Lady justice statue
    Feature

    A2J: The case against the government’s whiplash reform proposals

    2016-07-19T16:13:00Z

    Access to Justice (A2J) is leading the charge against the government’s plans to raise the small claims limit for PI claims. Here, A2J chair Martin Coyne explains why the evidence justifying the reforms is flawed - and how solicitors can get involved in their campaign.

  • donna scully
    Feature

    MoJ whiplash proposals: there is a better way

    2016-07-19T15:20:00Z

    Lawyers have been waiting anxiously for the Ministry of Justice’s consultation paper on its proposed whiplash reforms. Whilst this may seem a minor matter in light of national events, the paper will signal the start of a process that may have a greater impact upon the legal and claims sector ...

  • calculator
    Feature

    ACL member survey results are in!

    2016-07-19T10:02:00Z

    Iain Stark, chairman of the Association of Costs Lawyers, comments on the findings of this year’s member survey. What does it tell us about the state of the costs management regime in 2016?

  • Looking at watch
    Feature

    Why you need to get to grips with time recording

    2016-07-18T15:19:00Z

    Claire Green of the Association of Costs Lawyers explains why fee earners must recognise the importance of proper time-recording.

  • man stealing jars of probate
    Feature

    A run for your money?

    2016-07-18T13:42:00Z

    Grania Langdon-Down explores competition in the probate market

  • Sue Bramall
    Feature

    Cross purposes

    2016-07-18T10:56:00Z

    Winning new work from existing clients will improve return on investment in marketing, client retention, revenues and profit, but many initiatives fail to make progress. Sue Bramall introduces a strategic approach to cross-selling private client services

  • Richard Roberts
    Feature

    Close to home

    2016-07-14T12:19:00Z

    The financial abuse of the elderly is on the rise, and the perpetrator is frequently a family member. Richard Roberts details the warning signs practitioners should  look out for, and the steps they can take where such abuse is exposed

  • Gareth Raisbeck
    Feature

    The sound of the crowd

    2016-07-07T10:11:00Z

    Gareth Raisbeck argues that in light of last year’s ParkingEye litigation, crowdfunding could at last be stepping out of the shadows as a viable and attractive means of financing commercial litigation, especially for a younger generation of tech-savvy litigants

  • woman behind bars 126x86
    Feature

    Orange isn't the New Black

    2016-07-04T11:53:00Z

    It was an honour to host Frances Crook, CEO of Howard League for Penal Reform at this years Annual Fiona Woolf lecture, and find out more about what she spoke about.

  • Lord Justice Briggs
    Feature

    Civil Courts Structure Review event with LJ Briggs - Q&A and more

    2016-07-01T14:03:00Z

    On 9 June, the Law Society invited Lord Justice Briggs to Chancery Lane to talk about his proposals for the civil courts. We summarise the main talking points from his speech, and also share the findings of his Q&A session with the audience

  • networking-coloured-counters-on-board
    Feature

    Five business development options that don’t involve networking

    2016-06-29T15:37:00Z

    A lawyer’s career hinges on their ability to win work. Douglas McPherson suggests five alternative options for those that don’t like formal networking

  • power button
    Feature

    The PSC register: what legal practice managers need to know

    2016-06-29T15:28:00Z

    The requirement for a register of ‘persons with significant control’ came into force on 6 April 2016. Alison Matthews explains what you need to know

  • megaphone-black
    Feature

    The importance of effective internal communication

    2016-06-29T15:13:00Z

    Effective internal communication will reap dividends over time. Rachel Brushfield explains the role it plays in building employee engagement.

  • Crossed fingers
    Feature

    Fundamental dishonesty: where are we now?

    2016-06-28T13:49:00Z

    What constitutes fundamental dishonesty has been left to the discretion of the court with no definition provided within the CPR. Kerry Underwood suggests this could all change very soon, with a decision by the Supreme Court imminent. 

  • Lord justice briggs
    Feature

    Civil Courts Structure Review: Bristol consultation event report

    2016-06-17T15:38:00Z

    We report back from Lord Justice Briggs’ consultation event in Bristol on 9 May 2016

  • Philip Hesketh
    Feature

    The advantages and disadvantages of mediation

    2016-06-14T09:16:00Z

    Mediation has many advantages, but there are also downsides to it that should not be overlooked, warns Philip Hesketh