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Civil way: 6 February 2009

05 February 2009
Issue: 7355 / Categories: Features , Local government , Constitutional law
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Featured this week

Court in recession
Of high interest

For how much longer can the 8% judgment debt interest rate be justified? Easily the best investment on the globe at the moment—so long as the debtor ultimately pays up. Debtors may soon be asking for pre-judgment interest, on which the court has discretion, to be awarded at less than 8% or over a shortened period. The commercial debt late payment rate of 8% over base coupled with late payment compensation of £40 to £100 are even better bets for the creditor. And what of the hapless former wife saddled with a statutory charge attracting 8%? That rate has remained constant for over three years. Time for a reduction.

The economic gloom may have overtaken the policymaking on intestacy limits. The Family Provision (Intestate Succession) Order 2009 (SI 2009/135) on which consultation closed over three years ago increases the statutory legacy in favour of the spouse or civil partner from £125,000 to £250,000 where there are children and from £200,000 to £450,000 where there are

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
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