In brief: LAB's representatives threat is thwarted

A north London firm, Hickman Rose, has succeeded in its action to stop the Legal Aid Board's (LAB) plan to suspend the use of non-solicitor representatives on the City of London duty solicitor scheme. The practice had applied in June 1996 for a judicial review of a decision by the London regional duty solicitor's committee to change its rules regarding representatives. It was proposed that they should not work unsocial hours. On the eve of the court hearing, the committee rescinded its ban and the LAB has offered costs to the firm.