Manchester Law Society

Court of Appeal Dismissal of govt Appeal on FiT on 25th Jan 2012

manclaw_admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:56:01 +0000

Press Release: For immediate release
26 January 2012

More uncertainty hits social housing sector following Government’s defeat in Court of Appeal

Yesterday’s Court of Appeal ruling thwarted the Government’s plans last autumn to bring an early end to the 43.3p Feed in Tariff (FiT) – or did it? With the likelihood of the government appealing to the Supreme Court, more uncertainty and time lies ahead for social housing providers – and, ultimately, the UK’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in fuel poverty may lose out on reduced energy costs.

“If the government appeals to the Supreme Court” comments Lucy Worrall, partner and social housing specialist at Croftons Solicitors LLP, “by the time any final decision is reached the likelihood of any photovoltaic solar panel schemes going ahead while the 43.3p Feed in Tariff still exists is pretty slim.”

Continuing, Lucy said “the Court of Appeal today ruled against the government without even hearing the appeal. The government has said it is likely to appeal directly to the Supreme Court. If the government is defeated again (and therefore the FiT goes back to 43.3p for installation schemes from 12 December 2011 to 3 March 2012), it is likely to be so close to 3 March 2012 that there won’t be any chance of planning and installing any schemes of any significance by RPs.”

“As far as registered providers are concerned, it’s a gamble,” adds Lucy. “As far as we can ascertain at this point, the only certainty is that the lower rate of 21p/16.8p is to come into effect on 3 March 2012. Other than that, there is the risk that the government’s appeal to the Supreme Court will be upheld – in which case the FiT reduction which was due to take effect on 12 December 2011 will be in place. On the other hand, if the government is defeated in the Supreme Court, then what little time remains from then until 3 March is probably not realistic for any scheme to go ahead unless it is already well advanced.”

For registered providers willing to take a risk and the 43.3p remaining for installs completed before 3 March, Lucy says “There may still be enough time for those prepared to take the gamble and install panels. For registered providers looking at a rent a roof scheme, any such scheme would realistically have to be on uncharged stock unless both the lenders and their lawyers can act very quickly to give consent. Either way, speed is of the essence!”

Looking beyond 3 March 2012, though, Lucy feels that registered providers have a number of other options for renewable and green energy initiatives. “There are still a number of viable options for pv including rent a roof schemes (which many have now written off) even after the FiT is reduced.” says Lucy. “We know of providers who have devised a way to make rent a roof schemes work at no cost to RP’s but at great benefit to their tenants”.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. For further information and commentary, contact Lucy Worrall – Partner on 0161 214 4829 or email lucyw@croftons.co.uk

2. Lucy Worrall has been a specialist social housing property lawyer for over 10 years, with particular expertise in development and regeneration, site acquisitions, s106 Agreements, leases (inc commercial leases), mixed tenure developments, building contracts, property sales and acquisitions, setting up shared ownership/new build HomeBuy schemes for sale, nomination agreements, supported housing schemes and service level and management agreements.

Lucy is ranked in Chambers & Partners 2012 as a leading expert, with clients commenting that she is “fantastic, helpful, knows the market, is up to date on all the relevant legal developments, and is commercial too.”

Lucy has developed a special expertise in green technology for social landlords and in particular the installation of solar PV panels. She is a regular contributor of articles and press commentary in the national housing and North West business press.

3. Firm Background: Croftons is a specialist provider of legal services to the social housing sector. The firm has worked with housing associations for 50 years and is a significant player in the sector, dedicated to supporting its future development. The firm is recognised in Chambers & Partners Legal Directory as a leader, saying that clients praise the firm as ”very responsive: it works quickly and with complete accuracy.” Chambers has singled out partner Lucy Worrall for particular comment saying that “she is ”fantastic, helpful, knows the market, is up to date on all the relevant legal developments, and is commercial too.” In a landmark client feedback programme within the social housing sector in 2010, Croftons’ clients praised the firm for close ‘partnering’ relationships, a proactive and commercial approach, and a highly personal service. The firm is currently in the final shortlist for the Manchester Legal Awards (MLS) Property Team of the Year.

JUNIOR PARALEGAL VACANCY

manclaw_admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:40:10 +0000

JUNIOR PARALEGAL VACANCY

Ideal for LPC graduate.

Full time position working in a growing, dynamic and exciting

specialist Personal Injury practice, based in Exchange Quay, Manchester.

Responsibilities will include “hands on” legal support to solicitors

gaining genuine legal experience.

Training will be provided although experience in PI an advantage.

Genuine career prospects to the successful candidate.

Closing date: Friday 27^th January 2012.

Apply with covering letter and CV to office@aequitaslegal.co.uk

Holocaust Memorial Day Event with Sir Howard Bernstein

manclaw_admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:38:20 +0000

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Hill Dickinson would like to invite you to an event on the evening of Wednesday 25 January 2012.

Speak Up, Speak Out: An Evening with Jack, A Survivor of the Holocaust.

The event is to be held at Manchester Town Hall and has been organised in co-operation with Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council. Sir Howard will be hosting the evening.

For more details and to book your place, please register by contacting Sabina Davis on 0161 817 7395 or email sabina.davis@hilldickinson.com

Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues and contacts.

SETTING THE STANDARDS FOR THE FUTURE

manclaw_admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:45:21 +0000

You may already be aware of PRIME, the initiative by the legal profession to give fair access to quality work experience and supported by the Law Societies of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. PRIME was launched in September 2011 with the aim of enabling fair access to legal work experience for school-age students from less privileged backgrounds. Click here for more information about why access to quality work experience is so important for the legal profession.

The PRIME commitment has been designed in such a way that it is relevant to any firm, large or small – and this is reflected in the range of current signatories. As founder members, we would like to invite you to an event to hear more about PRIME and how your own firm can get involved.

At these sessions we hope to table some of the important issues around social mobility, particularly in the context of the highly competitive climate in which graduates are seeking training contracts, and to inform a wider group of firms about the PRIME commitment.
Where and when
Manchester: Wednesday 25 January, 8.30-9.30am (arrival from 8am, breakfast will be served), hosted by DLA Piper LLP
RSVP
If you would like to attend one of the PRIME events, we ask that you RSVP to the appropriate contact below. Please feel free to pass this invitation on to another member of your firm if you feel it is appropriate.

To attend the Manchester event, please RSVP to michelle.palmer@dlapiper.com

www.primecommitment.org
Founded by

With the support of The Law Society of England and Wales, The Law Society of Northern Ireland, The Law Society of Scotland and The Sutton Trust

ALLOCATION OF CASES TO DISTRICT JUDGES

manclaw_admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:26:40 +0000

ALLOCATION OF CASES TO DISTRICT JUDGES

Under para 14.1 of PD 2B, I have made the following arrangements in relation to case management and interim applications inManchester

Note to Practitioners; Please clearly mark documents e.g. Particulars of Claim and Applications with the name of Any of the Specialisms set out below.

Clinical Negligence: DJs Harrison, Hassell, Hovington & Stonier

Mesothelioma, Other Asbestos related disease & Terminal Illness Claims: DJs Hassell & Iyer

Equality Act claims DJs Harrison, Hovington, Matharu, Neaves, Obodai, Smith & Stonier

Chancery: DJs Khan, Matharu, Obodai, Richmond & Smith

Bullying/Sexual Abuse: DJs Fairclough, Stephens

Housing (difficult legal issues) DJs Hovington, Moss & Smith

Defamation: DJs Moss & Richmond

False Imprisonment/Malicious Prosecution: DJs Hovington & Moss

HH Judge Stephen Stewart QC

10^th October 2011

Calling all Defence Solicitors….Stop Delaying Justice Initiative

manclaw_admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:36:54 +0000

The Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West, Mr. Nazir Afzal, is asking for the support of all Defence Solicitors in the region with regards to the ‘Stop Delaying Justice Initiative’. Please click here to read the letter from Mr. Afzal on the subject.

Practising Certificate Renewal/Fee Collection – letter from Des Hudson, Chief Executive, The Law Society

manclaw_admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:34:51 +0000

Dear Colleague
Practising Certificate Renewal/Fee Collection, November 2011
I wrote to Presidents of Local Law Societies on 18 October advising as to the delays with the start
of the PC renewal and fee collection process for November 2011.
As you will recall, the SRA intended to confirm by notification to the profession a decision as to
next steps and timetables on Monday 21 November. The SRA has recently put out an update as
at 18 November advising as to the current position. You will be aware that the Society has funded
a two year project to overhaul of SRA computer systems and processes. That investment was
part of a wider Group IT strategy, which would have allowed all parts of the Law Society Group to
utilise the benefits of these new applications. For example, the Society later in 2012 will launch a
new website based upon a common technical platform which is currently supporting the websites
serving the SRA. There are significant advantages if we can successfully introduce an online PC
renewal and fee collection system.
As the SRA has made clear, the project for that introduction of an online facility is delayed. We
believe it was right for the decision to be taken last week to further delay for a brief period the start
of renewal and fee collection this year. The start of a pilot roll out of the first phases of the online
renewal system started 72 hours ago. We have an intensive period of testing and trialling
involving a number of volunteer firms scheduled over the next ten working days or so which it is
hoped will allow the introduction of the new online renewal system.
In the meantime, the SRA has confirmed that all existing practising certificates have been
renewed. Alternative arrangements are in place allowing individuals making an application to the
roll for the first time to process such applications.
Clearly, any delay to the annual renewal process is naturally a concern to many practitioners. The
Society has this week written to the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Building Societies
Association explaining the current position in an effort to seek their assistance in better informing
their individual lender members that all current practising certificates have been extended. We are
aware that a number of practitioners have been challenged by some lenders on the basis that
existing practising certificates have “expired”.
We further understand that the SRA has already been in contact with other relevant bodies that
may, for their own regulatory processes, rely upon the production or availability of a current
practising certificate.
Any solicitors facing any difficulties or who need any assistance from the Society should not
hesitate to contact us, and in the first instance our Practice Advice Service (0870 606 2522, email
practiceadvice@lawsociety.org.uk) will offer assistance.
This is clearly a regrettable and unfortunate delay. The Society is conscious of the need for an
early and swift resolution. The Society will be doing all it can to assist any members affected in
this way and is providing all support and assistance available to colleagues in the SRA to assist in
the early resolution of this matter.
Yours sincerely
Desmond Hudson
Chief Executive
Direct Line: 020 7320 5601
Direct Fax: 020 7320 5759
desmond.hudson@lawsociety.org.uk

CALLING ALL CRIMINAL PRACTITIONERS – Stop Delaying Justice Initiative Briefing Sessions

manclaw_admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:04:51 +0000

The national Stop Delaying Justice! Initiative intends to ensure that almost all trials are case managed at the first hearing and disposed of at the second hearing in the magistrates’ court. The initiative is led by the judiciary; magistrates and district judges working together. The project has the support of the Senior Presiding Judge, the Justices’ Clerks’ Society, The Magistrates’ Association, the National Bench Chairman’s Forum and the Chief Magistrate. A DVD has been put together showing case management good practice and urging magistrates to take a more robust role in ensuring pleas are entered on the first occasion and scrutinising adjournments more closely. A series of seminars is currently being held for magistrates showing excerpts of the DVD followed by discussion.

In order inform local defence solicitors and prosecutors about the initiative local courts will be holding a number of open briefing sessions, which will include showing some scenes from the DVD, before the end of December. The dates will be fixed at various courthouses in Greater Manchester shortly. Details of the dates will be circulated once they have been agreed and all defence practitioners are urged to attend one of these sessions.

For further information please contact

Sarah Gebbie

Legal Training Manager
Legal Training Unit
Manchester Civil Justice Centre
PO Box 4239
1 Bridge Street West
Manchester
M60 1UR

0161 240 5914

Invitation from MMU School of Law – School of Law Open Day for Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

manclaw_admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:04:24 +0000

Open Day at MMU School of Law

Wednesday 16th November 3pm – 7pm

Already working as a paralegal or legal secretary?

Take control of the next step in your legal career.

You are invited to come and meet staff and students from the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at this joint event. This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about what and how you can study to gain a professional qualification

Interested?

e-mail: bptc@mmu.ac.uk or lpc@mmu.ac.uk

Tel: 0161 247 3053

e petition vs price competition for criminal defence services

manclaw_admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:02:29 +0000

I have just posted an e petition calling for the abandonment of the MoJ proposals for price competition for criminal legal aid.

I am hoping it will help galvanise opposition to the proposals in advance of the promised consultation that is due out ot the end of the year. It takes about 30 secondss to sign the petition and the link is below;

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/21031

Please sign the petition and more importantly encourage others to do so.

Thanks,

Matthew

Matthew Claughton – Managing Partner
Olliers Solicitors
Castlefield Chambers
11 Duke Street
Manchester
M3 4NF