Saturday 12 May 2012

THE ACL CONFERENCE

I am just back from the Association of Costs Lawyers which was a staggering succcess.Judges, QCs and normal people too turned up in their hundreds and there wasn't a dull moment.Lord Neuberger MR gave a punchy talk and intimated that the hourly charging rate is doomed . Furthermore, if Jackson doesn't work the next step is to abolish costs between parties altogether.His warm up man was His Honour Judge Simon Brown QC who stunned the audience by conducting a costs management hearing before the masses. i heard so many pennies drop. Brilliant.
Michael Bacon , the Godfather of costs, was there to see his trainee win the award for highest marks in the exams (again ).
Dr Friston had the happy glow of a man who has just delivered the final text of his updated costs bible and Erica 'disco nap' Bedford explained to me her confusion over going on honeymoon to Vienna not Venice ; good job she is so clever to know that Vienetta is not a popular destination.
Iain Stark as chairman was hyper -active , ensuring that it all went to plan.
I had a long chat with the newly appointed Distict Judge McIlwaine , living proof that the MOJ can get something right. So thoughtful , so decent.