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10 October 2014 / Dr Jon Robins
Issue: 7625 / Categories: Features , Legal services , Profession , Wills & Probate
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Waiting for Superman

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Jon Robins questions whether all publicity is good publicity

It is probably fair to say of all the extensive superhero family, “Will Power” must surely rank as one of the more forgettable members. For readers who cannot remember or else choose to forget, this was a cartoon character used to promote “Make a Will” week in 1991. A lawyer’s version of the Green Cross Code man, if you will.

Solicitors zipped themselves into turquoise and white Lycra bodysuits and hung around supermarkets in the admirable aim of raising awareness of the dangers of intestacy. An admirable cause. However Will Power proved so detested by the profession that the Law Society’s head of communications received hate mail from mortified probate solicitors.

Media campaigns

It is probably uncontroversial to say that Chancery Lane has a somewhat chequered history when it comes to media campaigns to promote the services of its members. That its latest campaign (“Use a Professional. Use a Solicitor”) has not provoked controversy within its membership or derision on the part of the public or politicians should be regarded as

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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