MARKS & SPENCERS WINE

The range of wines here has improved dramatically . Stunning deals exist too . Right now we are in buy 6 get 25% off. Unusually, this applies to wine already on promotion. Yesterday we tried a Canadian Cabernet which had been £16 but was half price. Deduct the bulk discount and it was £6 and delicious .
You can get a 50 Cl Montepulciano for £2-99 ( £2-25 in bulk offer ) . You cannot make it for that price . Go look .
Thanks to Clare de Courcy Ling for the tip off.
Best value for Easter consumption is 2012 Lalande de Pomerol. Classy Bordeaux . Telegraph mag today rates Gillet Bordeaux as tipped by Sean Jones and myself at Christmas (£7-50 ) . 

EASTER WINE

A good time to buy. Both Marks and Morrisons are doing the buy 6 get 25% off . The latter has a fabulous deal on Bollinger and their own label Champagne is fine .

VICARIOUS LIABILITY

The Supreme Court is to hear both COX and MOHAMUD together in October . 

APRIL SOFT TISSUE REFORMS

Are they going to be implemented in under 2 weeks ? It is looking dubious . 

GETTING THE COURT FEE RIGHT

I have had lots of enquiries from those anxious to pay the correct fee. What if the claim later rockets in value ?
My one practical thought is that , at the point of issue , you prepare a file note explaining why you pitched the claim at the level that you did .
Keep an eye on quantum and do not be shy about amending and then paying the relevant higher fee .
If you had the wisdom to  get numbers right every time you would not be reading this . Judges will be sympathetic save where they see a cynical attempt to avoid a high fee by pitching in a silly value. 

THE NEW PART 36

It arrives on Easter Monday and radical , subtle changes are made . I have had a hectic time talking about the reforms around the country,
What is staggering is how many negligence claims are provoked by q misunderstanding or misapplication of the Rule .
Do let me know if you might possibly want an update ! 

THE UNDOING OF JACKSON

Here is a link to a note I have just written for Jan Millar at the NLJ.
http://www.newlawjournal.co.uk/nlj/content/what-might-have-been

NEW TALKS

I have kept my head down to write up new talks for this year . The job is complete . The most popular in - house topics are
THE NEW PART 36
PREPARING FOR TRIAL
BUDGETING 2015 . 

WHEN TO BUY WINE

With Easter a month away you would be wise to sit tight for 2 or 3 weeks as deals are always rolled out as the holiday approaches .If you have a wedding or other celebration later this year you will find stunning deals on fizzy bottles .
Having said that , Marks and Spencer are doing buy 6 get 25% off . In some parts of the country it is buy 3 and get 20% off .  

THOMPSONS

I forgot to thank Mike Goodridge for the tip off . 

Thompsons without a Thompson

It is the end of an era with David having just retired from the firm created by WH and then continued by his sons Robin and Brian . 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

It was a joy to go to the 25th anniversary party thrown last night by Sebastians , the niche firm in Fleet St . Nicholas Parsons was in cracking form . Great fun and congratulations to Anthony , a fine man. 

COURT FEES

If , as appears likely , court fees rocket next Monday , the commencement of proceedings before then will achieve a saving of biblical worth . 

BUDGETING GOES TO APPEAL COURT

This autumn REDFERN V CORBY BC goes up. How is one to budget ? Vital case . Thank you to Robert Marven for the tip off.