Following publication of the final inquiry of Robert Francis QC on the failings in the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between 2005 and 2009, it is fair to say public response is one of shock and betrayal.



The investigation revealed unnecessary suffering caused to hundreds of patients and approximately 400 unnecessary deaths, because the most basic standards of care were not observed and fundamental human rights were not respected.  …

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It’s a common nature of human which allows them to look for possibilities and opportunities to succeed in life. Every day people come up with new ideas and new approaches to implement in their day-to-day working and aim to accomplish their dreams. Lawyers too are not untouched with this very thought even though they may be doing quite good in their profession. Sitting back and giving a quick thought on what really made them choose the legal profession and how they want or wanted to see…

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Earlier this week, I attended a discussion group on the forthcoming changes in Legal Aid for Family Law work. Many people are aware that significant changes are proposed as from next Spring, though few people know what it will mean, and it is something I have been asked about by many clients and potential clients.

At present, there is an awful lot about the…

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The Criminal Bar is facing challenges on several fronts: pressure on fees, a downturn in top-quality instructions and, above all, the government’s predicted £350m reduction in the legal aid budget. Chambers are responding to these challenges by diversifying and becoming more commercially focused, as Guy Hewetson writes.

Recently, I spent time speaking to some 20 sets of Chambers to discover more about their strategies for responding to the challenges faced by the…

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The State of Texas callously penalizes sex offenses. Some sex crimes hold an obligatory verdict of life incarceration without the option of parole. Furthermore, sex offender listing may be required.



A conviction, if not the accusation, of a sex offense can obliterate your reputation, job,…

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Stuart Page, Associate

The Criminal Bar has it seems had its voice heard at last. All too often the press publish the fees of the highest paid solicitors and barristers from public funding but do not publish what the…

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White collar crimes are committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” A white collar criminal therefore is a socially and economically sound person who violates the criminal laws in due course of his performing professional qualities.…

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There has been much in the media recently regarding the growing concerns in the safety of metal on metal hip replacements, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are launching an investigation into the safety of these implants.…

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As a Solicitor specialising in clinical negligence claims, Paula Nash frequently works with children and young people who have an acquired brain injury.  In layman’s terms, an acquired brain injury (ABI) is brain damage caused by events occurring after birth. 



Paula explains “ABI can arise in any number of ways to include physical trauma from an accident or a non traumatic injury such as a stroke, brain…

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Anyone claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) has their medical condition assessed by ATOS – a private company contracted to the DWP. Their refusal rate is alarming. According to a report in the Guardian complaints are made by some disabled claimants that their centres have no or little disabled access!

 …

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Paula Nash, partner and head of the clinical negligence team at Lanyon Bowdler reports "On Monday 7 November 2011, the House of Lords debated an amendment to the Health and Social Care bill to introduce a "duty of candour" – a statutory obligation on all healthcare providers to be open with patients when things go wrong and cause harm.

"Unfortunately,…

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Lucy Small, experienced clinical negligence solicitor with Lanyon Bowdler explains:

"As highlighted by the recent Tonight Programme on ITV (Thursday 8 September), there is much concern about the Governments proposals to remove Legal Aid for Clinical Negligence claims contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill,…

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You may have heard the rumours that legal aid is soon to be changed drastically.  On 15^th November 2010 the government launched a green paper outlining plans to cut £350 million from the legal aid budget.  It has been suggested that it is set to hit family legal aid the hardest.  Although the Government are yet to announce the changes it is likely that cases which currently have the benefit of legal aid such as divorces, applications regarding children…

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When a person becomes the victim of clinical negligence their life as they know it can change irrevocably.  The new challenges they must face can be daunting and costs in pursuing justice for themselves can be high.  At present a victim can take some comfort in knowing that with the assistance of legal aid the costs of the case and the monetary award they may receive at the end of their case can be one less aspect they have to worry about.  However with the government’s increasing changes to… Read More

The Government has admitted a mistake over the impact proposed cuts to the legal aid budget would have on the justice system.

Initially, it was suggested the cuts would lead to around 45,000 fewer legal representations a year. But the Ministry of Justice confirmed that a new impact assessment found the figure is likely to be 66,200.

The plans to cut the £2.2 billion-a-year budget by £350 million had already proved controversial, with widespread concern expressed that they would…

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