Author: Nick Holmes
Employment: Internet and email policies
Acas has published an updated version of its guide to internet and email policies for employers. OUT-Law.com has also recently updated updated its template policy. Acas Guide[updated] OUT-law.com’s Communications Policy
Will’s will
William Shakespeare’s will is now available to the public to read online, nearly 400 years after the playwright put quill to paper. The historic document, in which Shakespeare famously bequeathed his “second-best bed” to his wife, has been put on the web by the National Archives. The wills of more than 100 other famous figures […]
Internet: Trade mark not abused by meta tag and search ads
The Court of Appeal ruled on 3 March that recruitment site totaljobs.com had not infringed a trade mark that had been used as a meta tag in the source code of totaljobs’ web site and in paid adverts on search engines. Recruitment agency Reed Executive plc sued publishers Reed Business Information Ltd and others (including […]
Legal Practice: Legal Services Review consultation
Sir David Clementi released his Consultation Paper relating to the regulatory framework for legal services in England and Wales on 8 March 2004. The paper seeks to stimulate a wide debate about regulation of lawyers. Chapter B suggests illustrative models for a new regulatory regime: Model A proposes that all regulatory functions move to a […]
e-Government: e-Envoy unveils Directgov service
The Office of the e-Envoy has unveiled the first stage of the Government’s new online service Directgov. Designed around the needs of the user, Directgov makes it much easier to find and access government information and services electronically. Directgov brings together information from across many Whitehall departments in one place, making it easier for people […]
Constitutional Reform Bill
The Constitutional Reform Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 24 February 2004 to much criticism. Part 1 makes provision for replacing the office of Lord Chancellor and abolishing that office. There are provisions in relation to the judiciary and the courts, the Great Seal, and the Speakership of the House of Lords. […]
Using the Web: Yahoo launches new search engine
Yahoo is rolling out a brand new search engine today, with its own index and ranking mechanisms, casting aside its long-standing use of Google-powered search results. SearchEngineWatch article.
Using the Web: Google looking to expand services
In its quest to offer new services for web surfers Google quietly launched but then dropped a WHOIS lookup service on the search site after Network Solutions blocked most of the queries. WHOIS allows you to find out who is responsible for a website or other internet address. NSI argues that the number of search […]
Planning: ODPM integrated programme for e-planning
The ODPM has announced it is establishing an integrated programme to bring together a whole raft of projects and initiatives, including the Planning Inspectorate’s Planning Portal, designed to drive forward the e-planning agenda. In the forefront of progress now is the government-funded Planning and Regulatory Services Online national project (PARSOL), one of the 20 or […]
Legal Publishers: Centaur sold and Lawzone to relaunch
Centaur Communications, the publisher of The Lawyer magazine and TheLawyer.com, has been sold for about £130m to stockbroker Numis Securities, who plan to float the company on the junior Aim market. The acquisition by Numis has sparked some controversy and may yet result in an investigation by the Financial Services Authority. Meanwhile back at the […]
Legal Publishers: LexisNexis to launch new technology platform
LexisNexis is launching the first release of a single global technology platform that will deliver its information products and services in the US and worldwide. The new single platform is intended to make it easier for lawyers or other professionals working around the world to obtain information relevant to their home country or to other […]
E-mail standards guide from LITIG
Following research into the issues surrounding e-mail usage within the legal industry and the associated risks, the Legal IT Innovators Group (LITIG), an organisation specifically for senior professionals involved directly in all aspects of implementation, use and support of legal IT systems in the UK, has created two Good Practice Guides on Acceptable Usage Policy […]
Department of Health website relaunch
The Department of Health (DH) relaunched its website on 16 February 2004. The site has been completely redesigned and restructured. The new site is intended to provide improved navigation and a more powerful search engine, and will also help the DH meet government standards on accessibility and targets for electronic service delivery. Content is now […]
Law Society guidance on money laundering
In anticipation of the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 coming into force on 1 March 2004, the Law Society has published fresh guidance for solicitors on the effect on them of the latest legislation. Under the new regulations most solicitors’ practices will fall into the regulated sector for many areas of legal work, including property transactions […]
Media and Communications: Ofcom kicks off
The new communications regulator Ofcom, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services, took over the functions of the various previous industry regulators in December 2003. The Ofcom website provides a wealth of information for practitioners and consumers, including sections on codes and policies, competition and complaints bulletins, consultations, research, consumer information, industry […]
