Legal updates
Special immigration status is highly objectionable, costly and unnecessary, says Hina Majid
Low copy number DNA analysis should only be dangerous for the guilty, says Charles Foster
Most practitioners will already be aware of the decision in Johnston v NEI International Combustion Ltd; Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co Ltd; Topping v Benchtown Ltd; Grieves v F T Everard & Sons [2007] UKHL 39, [2007] 4 All ER 1047.
Low copy number DNA evidence will continue to be admissible in court, after a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) review found nothing to suggest its use should be discontinued.
Phillips v Symes [2008] UKHL 1, [2008] All ER (D) 152 (Jan)
The battle over the controversial unified legal aid contracts intensified this week with the Law Society threatening another law suit against the Legal Services Commission (LSC) over its stance on the issue.
NEW YJB HEAD, MINER COMPLAINTS, WELSH IN COURT
Re F (Children) (DNA Evidence) [2007] EWHC 3235 (Fam), [2008] All ER (D) 171 (Jan)
West Midlands Probation Board v Sutton Coldfield Magistrates’ Court [2008] EWHC 15 (Admin), [2008] All ER (D) 03 (Jan)
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC
A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers
Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones
Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team
Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn
Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team
Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event
Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need
Could the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets, ask Keith Oliver, head of international, and Amalia Neenan FitzGerald, associate, Peters & Peters, in this week’s NLJ
An extra bit is being added to case citations to show the pecking order of the judges concerned. Former district judge Stephen Gold has the details, in his ‘Civil way’ column in this week’s NLJ
The Labour government’s position on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is not yet clear
