0113 245 4997 info@leedslawsociety.org.uk
Adversity can strike anyone, at any time and it can permanently curtail careers as well as destroy families. The SBA has been at the heart of the legal profession for over 150 years, helping to ensure that no solicitor is unsupported in times of need or crisis.
To find a local solicitor, please go to our Solicitor Directory where a selection of our members have registered their details.
The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims is made by the Master of the Rolls as Head of Civil Justice. The Protocol comes into force on 1 October 2017
This Protocol applies to any business (including sole traders and public bodies) claiming payment of a debt from an individual (including a sole trader).
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From 3rd October 2016 a Court Associate of the RCJ, Chancery Division, Rolls Building will approve and seal Tomlin Orders if:-
“And the solicitors having certified that the only relief sought in this claim/counterclaim is the payment
of money including any interest and costs, and that no ancillary relief has been sought at any stage”.
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New SRA Competency Approach
From 1 April 2015, the SRA’s traditional requirement that solicitors must obtain at least 16 hours Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points every year was replaced by a new approach called the SRA Competency Approach.
This has to be adopted by all solicitors from 1 November 2016.
Summary of New Approach
To achieve SRA competency (which must be declared on an annual basis before a practising certificate can be awarded) the new approach requires:
To use at a CCMC (Court and Costs Management Conference) as directed by Leeds Court
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To use at a CCMC (Court and Costs Management Conference) as directed by Leeds Court
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For filing, serving and for use at CCMC hearings in appropriate cases
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Cost budget Composite Summary (self calculating)
Guidance for Leeds Court Users
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Guidance for Leeds Court Users
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Guidance concerning the grant of injunctions (2)
To read the document in relation to the new High Court Listing period protocol please CLICK HERE.
For Leeds Court Users
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT:
General Representation Sheet
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For Leeds Court Users
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Mortgage Possession representation sheet
For Leeds Court Users
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Rental Possession representation sheet
For Leeds Court Users
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT:-
App to Suspend Warrant of Possession representation sheet
For Leeds Court Users
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Return of Goods representation sheet
For Leeds Court Users
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Small Claims representation sheet
For Leeds Court Users
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT:-
App for Third Party Debt Order representation sheet
For Leeds Court Users
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Charging order representation sheet
For Leeds court users
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16a General Form of Undertaking
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For Leeds Court Users
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Instructions for court users regarding security procedures at the Leeds Combined Court Centre and a list of prohibited items (October 2017)
Since July 2017 all persons entering Leeds Combined Court Centre have been subject to a thorough search. The time that it is taking for people to access the building has been increased due to the number of items being confiscated.
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Please see the link below to the announcement of the appointment of Malcolm Davis-White QC as a Specialist Civil Circuit Judge in Leeds.
It is understood that he will heading the Chancery Division in Leeds and will commence his appointment on 06.12.16.
The delay in his appointment was so that he could finish a case that he was hearing as a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
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Please see details of a pilot that will run for the next six months in Leeds and that relates to cost budgets:
PILOT SCHEME (6 months) Please note, the pilot has been extended so is continuing for the time being
PLEASE NOTE
With the intention of avoiding the expense and inconvenience of cost management and likewise the need to have a Costs and Case Management Conference the Chancery District Judges at Leeds District Registry with the support of the Vice Chancellor have introduced a new practice as follows:
PRACTICE
Provided that, when filing their Directions Questionnaires:
a) The parties express a wish to limit the extent of cost budgeting, and;
b) The parties also file agreed case management directions.
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Follow the links below for updated High Court Judge itineraries:
Winter Term 2018 amendment 5 (Thursday 11 January – Wednesday 28 March 2018)
Summer Term 2018 (Tuesday 10 April – Tuesday 31 July 2018)
Contact list (telephone numbers and email addresses) for Judges and Clerks (23 January 2018)
The Companies Court at Leeds District Registry are currently trialling a new pilot. The aim of which is to eliminate the requirement to file “paper” documents in respect of winding up petitions and to be paperless so far as possible and to be digital in relation to this area of work.
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HM Courts and Tribunal Service will be offering all customers a Fee Account (FA) service for the purpose of paying court issue fees in all offices of the County Court and Family Court, all magistrates courts that deal with civil and family work, the County Court Money Claims Centre (Salford), the Royal Courts of Justice, probate registries and the Court of Protection from autumn 2014.
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NEW: Contact list for Judges and Clerks (issued 23 January 2018) – including phone numbers and email addresses.
A list of useful local contact details for all court users:
Bailiffs: bailiffs@leeds.countycourt.gsi.gov.uk
Enquiries: enquiries@leeds.countycourt.gsi.gov.uk
Listing: hearings@leeds.countycourt.gsi.gov.uk
leedsdfcprivatelawgeneralenquiries@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk
Divorce: divorce.leeds@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk
Filing and records: e-filing@leeds.countycourt.gsi.gov.uk
Small claims mediation: scmenquiries@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk
Enquiries: enquiries@wsleeds.org.uk
Admin court: administrativecourtoffice.leeds@hmcts.x.gsi.gov.uk
Enquiries: customerenquiries@leeds.crowncourt.gsi.gov.uk
Personal support unit: leeds@thepsu.org.uk
PHONE NUMBERS
Please be aware that as of 18 August 2014 the Court in Leeds has a new automated dialling service.
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Answers to frequently asked questions for court users
Updated 8 July 2014
1 Telephones
1.1 What time are the telephones manned in each of the sections at Leeds Court?
8.30am to 5pm.
1.2 Where can I find the numbers of the different sections?
The Court website lists all the different telephone numbers for each section.
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Make the time spent on your case and free advice pay
Download the PRO BONO PASSPORT for Litigants in Person.
Prepared by the Access to Justice Foundation.
Use this booklet to:
1. Record the time you, as an individual, have spent on a civil legal case (i.e. not criminal or family), p2-3
2.
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Leeds Law Society has kindly put together a collection of useful information for regular asked questions from the general public.
It includes website links and contact information for relevant organisations and charities that can further help with all your enquiries.
Public Information Sheet – CLICK HERE
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Personal Support Unit Leeds (PSU) is a branch of a national charity which won the Guardian Charity award 2014. We have a team of volunteers based in Leeds Combined Court who provide free support in the civil and family courts, with issues such as access to children, divorce, eviction and money claims.
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Anyone representing themselves in Leeds courts can access the support of a Personal Support Unit (PSU) volunteer, who will be able to provide information and practical support at all stages of the court process. To talk to a volunteer phone 0113 3062764 between 9.30-4.30 Mon-Fri.
To learn more about this service contact Hayley on leeds@thepsu.org.uk
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Prepared jointly by the Bar Council, CILEx and the Law Society offering practical advice for lawyers who face litigants in person in the civil courts and tribunals.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Overview, key points and comment.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT:-
Walker Morris Litigants in person guidelines for lawyers June 2015
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A guide to appearing in civil cases without legal representation: produced and published by the judiciary.
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A guide to help you on your legal journey, written by barristers who have extensive experience across all courts and understand how the system works.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:-
Representing yourself in court
A guide for litigants in person making applications to the Interim Applications Court of the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court, published by the judiciary.
A guide designed to help litigants in person make or respond to an interim application to the Chancery Division of the High Court, explaining steps LiPs need to take and with tips on the best way to go about it.
It is based on a similar guide for the Queen’s Bench Division published earlier this year, and has been developed by Mrs Justice Asplin and Lord Justice Briggs.
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This guide summarises the provisions which govern the conduct of proceedings in the Supreme Court. Fuller information is available on the Supreme Court website www.supremecourt.uk and the staff in the Registry can provide further information and advice although they are unable to provide appellants with legal advice.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SUPREME COURT WEBSITE
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Information from the NFM (National Family Mediation) outlining the support available to those intending to represent themselves in court on family issues.
CLICK THIS LINK FOR INFORMATION
Guidance for people representing themselves in the West Yorkshire Family Court.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THIS DOCUMENT:-
Litigants In Person guidance Family Law v1 010914
Leeds Law Society has compiled a directory of local experts and support organisations to be used by local practitioners, Judges and litigants in person when needing support and resource in family cases. This directory will include contact details, charges and funding arrangements, lead, process and report times for all local organisations with whom family case parties are regularly ordered to work.
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National Family Mediation have provided the following information on Representing Yourself in Court:-
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Counselling and support provided by BARCA Leeds.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:-
Reaching out counselling service
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The University of Law – Legal Advice Clinic
The clinic is a new initiative launched in March 2016 aimed at providing legal advice to those members of the public who would otherwise not qualify for legal aid or for any reason are not able to access legal advice. The clinic is run from the University of Law centre on Park Row in Leeds and they operate an appointment only service and so the clinic is not suitable for someone who wishes to attend on a drop in basis.
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Below is a list of organisations and charities that provide children of separated parents with contact facilities.
Please CLICK HERE for further details of the services above, including contact details, cost and services offered.
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Advocacy services support people, particulary those most vulnerable in society to make sure that their rights are respected and their views and wishes are heard at all times.
An advocate can help provide support in the following ways:
Caring Dads is a support service provided to help fathers address violent behaviour.
Please CLICK HERE to view the advice and information flyer.
Other useful links:
To find a family mediator in an area close to you, you should visit the Family Mediation Council (FMC) website where there is a Find Your Local Mediator section. The website address is www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk.
There are two main categories of practising mediators, those who are FMC accredited and those who have undertaken their foundation training and are working towards their accreditation.
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Lots of people represent themselves in the Family Court. The following notes are intended as a brief introduction to the way the court works and how you can get the best from your involvement with it. They are mainly about Child Arrangements cases but may be also useful to you if you are involved in a different type of case.
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The Leeds Family Court have helpfully prepared standard orders to be used by all court users (including solicitors) in child cases.
Public Law Children Act Proceedings are cases involving the local authority and social services. The Public Law team at the Leeds Family Court provide regular updates about their services.
Latest News:
Updated 3 November 2014
Please be advised that with effect from 3rd November 2014 Divorce Proceedings for courts across West Yorkshire, ie:
Leeds
Bradford
Halifax
Huddersfield
Wakefield
will be issued from the County Court at Bradford.
Please file your papers at The County Court at Bradford, Exchange Square, Drake Street, Bradford, BD1 1JA
A checking service for unrepresented parties will be provided at all courts, which will then send on to Bradford.
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Leeds Law Society joins with Judges to make the local family law process easier for everyone.
On 11th May 2015 a Leeds Law Society working group of more than a dozen local family lawyers met with DJ Shepherd at Leeds County Court to discuss how they could work together to make the family law process as easy and straightforward as possible for local Judges, lawyers and litigants in person in the Leeds Family Court.
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Working with the Court Service and the Judiciary
The Court Liaison Group (CLG) was set up by Sue Harris, a Director specialising in Commercial Litigation at Walker Morris LLP, and the first meeting took place on 31 July 2013.
The Leeds Law Society held an event on 17 July 2013 entitled “Meet the Judges”, and included a panel made up of: His Honour Judge Gosnell, District Judge Jordan, District Judge Goldberg, all representing the Leeds Court; Dianne Jackson-Penney the Delivery Manager of the Leeds Court Service, Heidi Sandy, then president of the Leeds Law Society and Sue Harris.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR LITIGATORS USING THE BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS IN LEEDS
Event: 23 January 2018 – see details below
Background
At the request of the Disclosure Working Group (DWG), an event is being arranged in Leeds to update you on some significant proposals to reform of the current rules on disclosure for cases proceeding in the Business and Property Courts, including Leeds.
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A new court to modernise the way business and property cases are heard will open for business in Leeds later this year.
The Leeds Business and Property Court, which will be based at the Leeds Combined Court Centre on Oxford Row, is one of five regional centres being opened around the country.
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Introduction of the panel
HH Judge Davis-White Q.C. is our new Lead Chancery Judge and will sit in Leeds and Newcastle. Judge Davis-White was formerly a highly regarded chancery silk practising from 24 Old Buildings and before that 4 Stone Buildings in Lincoln’s Inn. He is a former chairman of the Chancery Bar Association.
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HHJ Richard Jenkins’ memorial service will take place at Inner Temple on Sunday 23 July. The exact timings are yet to be announced but is likely to be around lunch time. If you require further information please contact sue.harris@walkermorris.co.uk
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HM Courts and Tribunal Service has issued an invitation to attend the next Court User meeting at BRADFORD IAC, Phoenix House on Monday 19 June 2017 at 13.00.
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FOLLOWING BRIGGS’ LJ’S VISIT TO LEEDS IN APRIL YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE CIVIL COURTS STRUCTURE REVIEW – WHICH HAS NOW BEEN PUBLISHED
Briggs LJ’s much-anticipated Civil Courts Structure Review: Final Report was published on 27.07.16. The full report can be accessed here. The final conclusions and recommendations are set out on pages 115 to 124.
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A panel session was held at Clarion’s offices in conjunction with Leeds Law Society on 08.06.16 to discuss “Fixed costs – Threat or Opportunity?”
A brief summary of the issues discussed is set out in the attached note and there is a link below to an article by Andrew McAulay, Partner of Clarion in relation to the session.
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Leeds Law Society was pleased to organise an open forum where His Honour Judge Raeside provided an overview of the shorter trial scheme, which is proposed will be used in Leeds.
This took place on: 29th June 2016, St Phillips Chambers, Leeds
HHJ Raeside reviewed how this initiative differs from adjudication and the pilot scheme in London for flexible and shorter trials.
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Mr Justice Norris has written an article about the shorter and flexible trial pilot for London and how courts in the North could do something similar, with a bit of creative thinking.
Please CLICK HERE to view to article.
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For a link to the event summary on Challenges Facing Civil Justice Today by Lord Dyson on 26th May 2016 please CLICK HERE.
More information from the day, and photographs of the event can be viewed HERE.
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A link to the event report on The Civil Justice Reforms and Whether Insolvency Litigation Should Be Exempt by Lord Justice Jackson (held in Leeds on 16 October 2015)
READ FULL DETAILS HERE
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A report from Nicola Phillipson, Zenith Chambers (April 2015)
Following the introduction of costs budgeting as part of his wide-ranging package of civil justice reforms, Jackson LJ is now undertaking a review of the process.
He has recenlty hosted a series of meetings around the country to obtain the views of practitioners as to which aspects of budgeting are working well, which are not working so well, which of the rules may need to be changed and so on.
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Meeting notes – March 2015
CLICK HERE for the notes of a talk given by His Honour Judge Mark Raeside QC (Judge in charge of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) in the North East Region) on Wednesday, 25 March 2015.
A report from Gordon Exall, Zenith Chambers
JACKSON ONE YEAR ON
On Tuesday evening (17 June 2014) Leeds Law Society held a “meet the judges” evening when practitioners met local judges and court staff to discuss issues arising out of the implementation of the Jackson reforms.
14 months on – an update from the Judiciary about how Jackson is working from their point of view
Panel
Jackson and Mitchell considered – IKEA Justice
Last week I attended a seminar hosted by the Leeds Law Society with a panel of Judges giving their comments on and answering questions about life just over one year on in the post Mitchell world. His Honour Judge Gosnell opened the seminary by giving a rather witty and also insightful address in which he said he likened a defending Mitchell to being about as popular as Sepp Blatter trying to defend the World Cup being held in Qatar.
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1. Introductions
HMS introduced the meeting and its purpose. Format would broadly follow the agenda but wished it to be interactive to hear from practitioners, the judiciary and the court service to feed back as to how the new reforms are being implemented and any other issues that would be worthwhile raising with the court/Judges.
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Report by Deputy President: Sue Harris, who attended a launch presentation at the National Railway Museum on 30.10.15.
George Osborne has set up the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) to look at all aspects of infrastructure across the country. The idea is that there will be assessment of needs and then long term planning, which it is hoped will have cross party support (and the make-up of the NIC reflects this – Labour Peer Lord Adonis having been appointed as the Chair of the NIC).
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WINTER TERM 2016
Amendment 5:
Amendment 4:
Amendment 3:
OVERVIEW OF THE DISCLOSURE WORKING GROUP REFORM PROPOSALS
CHIEF MASTER MARSH AND MR JUSTICE ROBIN KNOWLES CBE
23 JANUARY 2018
Download the slides from the event here
1 BACKGROUND
1.1 The excessive costs of disclosure, resulting in many clients taking litigation abroad, has led to interest in potential changes to the current disclosure process by Master of the Rolls.
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Leeds Law Society, in conjunction with Thomson Reuters (who very kindly sponsored the design and production) and judges in the B&PCs in Leeds, is pleased to announce the launch of a Guide to the Business and Property Courts in Leeds.
The Guide includes:
1. A foreword by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Mr Justice Barling and Mr Justice Males;
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From: Her Majesty’s Court Service, Leeds
Last Updated: 13 March 2018
First Published:
Details of the earliest available dates for hearings (including trials) in the Business and Property Courts in Leeds, based on how long they are expected to last
DATES FOR HEARINGS:
| Length of hearing | Dates available after |
| 30 minutes to 1 hour | 20th March 2018 |
| 1 hour to half a day | 3rd April 2018 |
| 1 day | 3rd April 2018 |
| 1 to 2 days | 16th April 2018 |
| 2 to 3 days | 16th April 2018 |
| 1 week | 11th June 2018 |
| 2 to 3 weeks | 24th September 2018 |
| 4 weeks or more | 24th September 2018 |
Regional courts have been put centre stage, with the introduction of the Business and Property Courts (B&PCs) in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff Leeds, and Manchester – and Liverpool and Newcastle to follow soon.
With thanks to Sue Harris, Immediate Past President of the Leeds Law Society, Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, was delighted to have the opportunity to submit questions to His Honour Judge Klein, a Specialist Chancery and Circuit Commercial Judge, principally based on the North Eastern Circuit (who is the lead Circuit Commercial Judge for the North Eastern Circuit) and to get his thoughts on recent developments and what they mean for the regions.
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Regional courts have been put centre stage, with the introduction of the Business and Property Courts (B&PCs) in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff Leeds, and Manchester – and Liverpool and Newcastle to follow soon.
With thanks to Sue Harris, Immediate Past President of the Leeds Law Society, Beverley Barton, one of the editors in the Practical Law Dispute Resolution team, was delighted to have the opportunity to submit questions to His Honour Judge Klein, a Specialist Chancery and Circuit Commercial Judge, principally based on the North Eastern Circuit (who is the lead Circuit Commercial Judge for the North Eastern Circuit) and to get his thoughts on recent developments and what they mean for the regions.
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TO LITIGATORS USING THE BUSINESS & PROPERTY COURTS IN LEEDS
The advent of the Business and Property Courts in Leeds provides an opportunity to reconsider the structure and workings of the current specialised court users’ groups. To date the Vice Chancellor has chaired a combined Mercantile and Chancery Users’ Group and HHJ Raeside Q.C.
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1. The coming into operation of The Business and Property Courts in Leeds on 2 October 2017 is an opportunity to remind court users about how they can assist the court in the production of orders, with a view to orders being produced as efficiently and quickly as reasonably possible.
Business and Property Courts in Leeds – Launch – 10 July 2017
The Chancellor of the Chancery Court – Sir Geoffrey Vos
Former Vice Chancellor – Mr Justice Norris
Vice Chancellor – Mr Justice Barling
Head of the TCC – Mr Justice Coulson
Sponsor – Thomson Reuters – Beverley Barton (Practical Law – Dispute Resolution)
Leeds Law Society – Sue Harris (director at Walker Morris LLP)
Mr Justice Norris
Good evening and thank you for joining us, I must point out that Mr Justice Barling, my successor, is here this evening.
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Thomson Reuters are always looking to increase the accessibility of case law on Westlaw UK and Lawtel. They are also keen to ensure that they can select from cases heard in the regional centres alongside those heard in London. With that in mind, Thomson Reuters would welcome submissions from practitioners and others to the following email address:
casesubmissions@thomsonreuters.com