All Feature articles – Page 89
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FeatureThe DWF paralegal hub: the new face of litigation?
A year ago, national law firm DWF overhauled its business model and introduced a range of new client services, including a centralised legal support centre with paralegals working on everything from e-disclosure to bundling. DWF director Julia Williams explains how this paralegal hub is transforming the way it undertakes litigation, ...
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FeatureManaging fixed costs in clinical negligence work
The government’s plans to introduce fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence claims have been delayed, but are unlikely to be on hold for long. If this is the direction of travel, argues Rebecca Thomas, director in clinical negligence at Duncan Lewis, here’s how to make the regime work.
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FeatureForum for debate
In May 2016, the Law Society and Private Client Section hosted a roundtable discussion on the Mental Capacity Act 2005, to support the recently formed National Mental Capacity Forum. Gary Rycroft reports back on the day’s talking points
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FeatureTrouble comes in threes
Three major recent changes are set to significantly affect the profitability of buy-to-let property, affecting private client landlords and property investors. Graham Poles outlines the changes and their potential impact
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FeatureHappy anniversary
In 2006, significant changes were made to the way that most trusts are treated for inheritance tax purposes. Ten years on, many trusts will now have to consider reporting obligations and potential inheritance tax liabilities for the first time, explains Russell Haworth
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FeatureYear of decision
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
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FeatureBack to Basics: Lifetime gifts
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.
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FeatureEscape route
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
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FeatureDrawing interest
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
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FeatureA2J: The case against the government’s whiplash reform proposals
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.
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FeatureMoJ whiplash proposals: there is a better way
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 ...
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FeatureACL member survey results are in!
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?
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FeatureWhy you need to get to grips with time recording
Claire Green of the Association of Costs Lawyers explains why fee earners must recognise the importance of proper time-recording.
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FeatureCross purposes
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
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FeatureClose to home
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
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FeatureThe sound of the crowd
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
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FeatureOrange isn't the New Black
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.
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FeatureCivil Courts Structure Review event with LJ Briggs - Q&A and more
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
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FeatureFive business development options that don’t involve networking
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