Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
In a statement to Rolling Stone on Monday, a representative of Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks confirmed that it had been the victim of a cyberattack.
“We have notified our clients and our staff”, the representative said. “We have hired the world’s experts who specialize in this area, and we are working around the clock to address these matters.”
Variety reported last week that the hacker group “REvil”, or “Sodinokibi”, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group also claimed to have stolen 756 gigabytes of sensitive data. Personal correspondence, contracts, nondisclosure agreements, phone numbers and email addresses are allegedly among the stolen data.
The firm’s past and current clients include a great number of high-profile celebrities. REvil has named several as victims in the attack, including Lady Gaga, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Cam Newton, Bette Midler, and numerous other individuals.
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The Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks webpage is effectively down, displaying only its logo, as the firm has entered high-security mode.
Emsisoft threat analyst Brett Callow said in a statement to Rolling Stone that the hackers will likely release the sensitive information they have stolen, potentially in instalments, if the firm does not comply with their demands.
“Attacks on law firms are particularly concerning due to the sensitivity of the information they hold”, he noted.
The lord chief justice announced on Monday that jury trials will recommence in the UK from 18 May onwards, with social distancing measures in place as “special arrangements to maintain the safety of all participants and the jury”.
These arrangements will see proceedings spread between two courtrooms to enable journalists, the public and parties to the trial to maintain safe distance.
Jurors will also sit between 11am and 3pm – reducing their hours and enabling them to avoid the daily rush hour.
The new trials “will be conducted under the same legal standards and procedures as before the COVID-19 emergency, with 12 jurors”, a shift in policy from both lord chief justice Baron Burnett of Maldon and the justice secretary, who previously gave their support to cutting juries down to 7 members.
“It is important that the administration of justice continues to function whenever it is possible in an environment which is consistent with the safety of all those involved,” Baron Burnett said in a statement. He also noted that the first courts where fresh juries could be sworn in would include the Old Bailey in London and Cardiff Crown Court.
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Justice secretary Robert Buckland added: “I am extremely grateful to the lord chief justice, the wider judiciary, legal professions, court staff and colleagues from across the criminal justice system for their determination and resolve in the discussions to get us to this point.”
This news follows Boris Johnson’s announcement that UK coronavirus laws will be updated on Wednesday, making unnecessary public gatherings and leaving home “without reasonable excuse” illegal. Court proceedings will be exempt from this rule.
The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has announced that it will publish a report on 8 May detailing its findings on the NHS’s contact-tracing app, and has issued early warnings that the app might breach data privacy laws in its current state.
The app is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight, and operates by exchanging Bluetooth signals between nearby phones as their users come into contact. Should one user later be diagnosed with COVID-19, all users with whom they have come into contact will then be automatically alerted to the possibility that they have been exposed to the virus.
However, campaign groups have taken issue with the data collection methods utilised by the app, such as its reliance on collecting the Bluetooth keys of both infected individuals and their contacts to be stored in a centralised database of information that the NHS will be able to access. This model is at odds with the more widely used Apple-Google exposure notification tool, which heavily restricts the amount of data exchanged.
The Human Rights Committee has called for new legislation to guarantee data privacy and human rights protections, and an independent body to oversee the effective security of the app and any data associated with the contact-tracing process.
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Elizabeth Denham, the information commissioner, revealed while giving evidence to the Committee on Monday that her office had not been given a data protection impact assessment from the government, which is a legally required step for organisations that embark on “high risk” data processing.
As of Thursday, the ICO has still not received an impact assessment even as trials have expanded to members of the public residing on the Isle of Wight. Jim Killock, chief executive of the Open Rights Group, commented: “This means NHSX are proceeding unlawfully with their trials”.
Well, if so, you are not alone, as I am seeing in daily discussions with clients. Coronavirus is making things tough for most sectors and the legal profession is no exception with deferred partner payouts, pay cuts, four-day weeks, furloughing and recruitment freezes.
For lawyers used to working in close-knit teams, often under high pressure, enforced home-working and the lack of interaction with clients and colleagues is taking its toll on mental health. According to LawCare, a UK legal mental health charity, many are struggling with loneliness and high levels of anxiety about job security. This isolation is particularly acute for newly qualified and junior lawyers struggling with training contracts and job prospects.
Resilience is needed now more than ever and whilst it’s commonly perceived that lawyers are typically self-confident, the facts tell a different story. Surveys suggest ‘impostor syndrome’ is prolific in the legal profession with 74% of lawyers and 83% of juniors experiencing it at some point in their careers.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise? The profession is synonymous with exceptional expectations, intolerance of mistakes and risk avoidance. Impostor syndrome is common in overachievers and perfectionists, so it's no wonder many lawyers suffer from chronic self-doubt and feel like intellectual frauds.
Impostor syndrome not only affects mental and physical well-being, it also negatively impacts performance, productivity and proactivity. By sapping self-confidence and self-esteem, it can prevent you from achieving your potential.
Impostor syndrome is common in overachievers and perfectionists, so it's no wonder many lawyers suffer from chronic self-doubt and feel like intellectual frauds.
As a coach to top executives, I know that even CEOs live in fear of being exposed despite their outer confidence. Which is why ‘self-confidence’, ‘overcoming self-limiting beliefs’ and ‘resilience’ are some of the most requested skills within 'VIC - Your Virtual Interactive Coach', the e-coaching and e-learning platform I founded.
So, why doesn’t external evidence of success always translate to inner confidence?
‘Impostor syndrome’ is a pattern of behaviour where people doubt their success and accomplishments despite strong evidence to the contrary. They have an internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud. There are many indicators of ‘impostor syndrome’ that you may recognise, such as working long hours, being a perfectionist, refusing help or trying to always be the expert – needing to know everything yet never knowing enough.
Whilst both men and women experience impostor syndrome, women seem to suffer more than men. Women make up half of practising solicitors, but the profession is still led predominantly by men. Women from ethnic minority communities or with disabilities face tougher hurdles still. External validation alleviates impostor feelings and a lack of inclusion, role models and positive support reinforces self-doubt.
Impostor syndrome negatively impacts people's work and personal lives in many ways. It instils self-doubt and low self-esteem and it impedes career growth, as it stops people moving outside their comfort zone to take on more challenging roles and projects. At a senior level it hampers leadership and management, impeding decision-making and innovation. Moreover, it also affects mental health, with overworking and mental burnout creating stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation. This is particularly relevant now.
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For some, impostor feelings are fleeting, and for others they are persistent. Here, though, are tips that can help:
Having employees suffering from impostor syndrome negatively impacts the success of your whole organisation. So, take positive action to address it – particularly now with a dispersed and often isolated workforce:
We want to reach out and help businesses, teams and employees during these extraordinary times by offering VIC for free. VIC gives an interactive ‘coach in your pocket’ for all employees with self-coaching tools and thousands of hours of multi-media content to help with self-confidence, stress, resilience and a host of other personal and business skills.
- Peter Ryding, founder of Vicyourcoach.com and award winning CEO Mentor.
No matter what your personal injury case is, you will need to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to sue for personal injury compensation and ensure all your rights and interests in settling negotiations with the insurance company. Before hiring one, though, there are various questions you should ask.
Remember that your lawyer will be someone you’ll work very closely with in your case to get your desired results. You must be comfortable with your lawyer and consider him or her as your trusted advisor. If you don’t have a clue what questions to ask, here are some that you should keep in mind:
The best lawyers are aware of their areas of expertise. They can only focus so much of their energy, expertise, and time to their craft. They also do not take on cases or clients they know will not get the attention they require. In any circumstances, make certain that your lawyer has the energy and time to get familiarised with your case and that they are ready to represent you in court.
It is important to choose a lawyer who focuses on personal injury law. The reason why specialisation matters, in this case, is because lawyers who are experienced in personal injury law know the common defense tactics that are used by insurance companies. They also know how to negotiate in accordance with your needs and can navigate some complex litigation procedures.
The best lawyers are aware of their areas of expertise.
More often than not, personal injury cases settle without the need to go to trial and still provide the result you deserve. But, if your lawyer doesn’t have any trial experience, it’s a disadvantage to your personal injury case.
Lawyers who are willing and able to go to trials have the experience and leverage to push for the right settlement and if such settlement demands are not met, you and your lawyer believe that what’s being offered is unfair. In this case, your case needs to go to trial to get a fair and positive outcome. With an experienced lawyer’s help with your personal injury case, you can be assured that they will fight for your case until you get what you deserve.
A huge red flag that you should look out for is if your lawyer sends an investigator or paralegal to your first consultation. You want to speak to the lawyer who will handle your case and not somebody from the law firm’s team. If your chosen lawyer does not communicate with you directly or often, it’s time to find another one who is more confident to communicate with you regarding your case and other concerns related to it.
This is one of the most important questions to ask, especially if you have accrued a lot of debt because of the injury you incurred. The majority of personal injury lawyers base their work on a contingency fee agreement. That means you only have to pay for the legal fees if they are able to win your case. The contingency fees vary by State but typically range from 33- 40% of the won compensation, but there are times that such fees can be lessened in particular situations. Read the retainer documents completely before you hire a lawyer and be wary of the law firms that offer contingency fees that are much lower than other law firms in your market.
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To achieve success with your case, your lawyer will need a lot of things from you. They need information on your medical expenses and wages you have lost from not being able to work. They may also require documentation of your doctor visits and treatment requirements. Your lawyer can also assist you when getting police reports, medical records, and some documents filed with the state or city.
No attorney can provide you an exact amount of time when it comes to the resolution of your case. However, experienced attorneys through their past case experience and knowledgeable of the legal system may provide you an average time frame. But, it is essential to keep in mind that the timeline provided by your attorney may change significantly depending on how the case plays out.
While those above-mentioned questions are a good start to help you evaluate the experience and acumen of your personal injury attorney, the decision is still yours. Trust your instincts when evaluating your preferred attorney and if it does not feel right, look for another personal injury attorney who will meet your unique requirements and better fit your standards.
The latest job market data from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, revealed that job vacancies plummeted by 74.9% in the legal sector in April, when looking at month-on-month data.
The study looks at job market activity throughout April, comparing the findings with the previous month and year to build an understanding of how the UK job market is fairing right now. The data shows that legal job numbers also dropped by a staggering 79.2% year-on-year.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, commented: “We’re trying to support UK businesses as much as possible right now, but everyone is feeling the financial effects of the current crisis. Thousands of companies have put a pause on their hiring plans until there’s more certainty in the market and the pandemic is having an impact on all sorts of industries; including the legal sector.
“All we can do now is prepare for the recovery and hope that business confidence picks up over the next few months when lockdown restrictions eventually ease. Unfortunately, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel at this stage, especially as we move into the thick of the spring/summer period, which tends to be quieter for hiring anyway.”
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Despite more Brits being out of work or placed on furlough in April, CV-Library's data shows that application numbers also dropped significantly last month; down 45% in the legal sector when looking at month-on-month data and by 36% year-on-year.
In addition to these findings, the job board also explored the application to job ratio on its site and found that this increased by 208% in the legal industry in April, compared to the previous year. This means there is more competition amongst candidates for the roles that are available.
In fact, CV-Library's data shows that there were an average of 30.18 applications per legal role in April 2020, as opposed to just 9.8 in April 2019.
Biggins concluded: “Unfortunately, organisations have had to make some tough decisions over the past six weeks, with ONS figures revealing that two thirds of businesses have placed staff on furlough. While these professionals might not be actively looking for work right now, especially at a time when there’s so much uncertainty, we do expect application figures to pick up in the coming months and clearly there is already increased competition for jobs.”
Going through a divorce process can be a very challenging time for you. Even if the separation is relatively civil and you are able to discuss things sensibly and amicably, there will be lingering sadness and regret all the same. However, many divorces unfortunately aren’t straightforward, even if the separation is reasonably cordial. The existence of complicating features can make assets more difficult to divide, particularly if they involve strong emotional ties or require different levels of input.
All these factors can lead to delays, frustration, anguish and, inevitably, fall-outs. Common things which can complicate a case including dealing with the arrangements for children, dealing with properties, or a family business, or pensions, or trusts, as well as the issue of maintenance payments. Assets which have been inherited or one party’s approach to negotiations can also make a divorce more complicated. In extreme cases there may also be underlying evidence of domestic abuse or controlling behaviour, which can cloud discussions and makes it very difficult to reach balanced and rational conclusions.
The length of a marriage can be a huge influence on how assets in a marriage are divided. The duration of the marriage is relevant to the precise distribution of property between the spouses. But also long-term marriages often involve more complex property division questions than shorter marriages, even without factoring in other issues such as bank accounts, trusts and children.
In such cases, first and foremost, you will need trusted and reliable legal representation from a specialist solicitor who has the necessary experience and technical knowledge. They must be able to handle the situation and the other party and their representatives. They must not only be able to negotiate effectively on your behalf, but also know when to drive home a point to fight your corner. This is a difficult balance to maintain, but is key to being able to navigate a complex divorce. Depending on how your financial assets are structured, you may also need input from an accountant to unravel everything and establish what is rightfully yours.
In such cases, first and foremost, you will need trusted and reliable legal representation from a specialist solicitor who has the necessary experience and technical knowledge.
Separation can bring very intense emotions to the fore, particularly where infidelity, the mismanagement of money or any form of abuse has occurred. This may make any kind of mediation impossible in some complex cases. Following separation, you are likely to see a side to your partner – and maybe even yourself – that you have never seen before, because this is a unique situation and a strong commitment has broken down. So you need to prepare yourself for this before entering into any negotiations. Another preparation you need to make is to establish what your immediate ambitions are both personally and financially. This can help you quantify what you need from the assets of the marriage and therefore help to build a path towards what a successful outcome for you.
It is common for any initial feelings of animosity to subside during divorce proceedings, but this of course depends on how negotiations go and how complex your finances, assets and family relationships are. What is common for both parties, in most cases, is that you both want this over with and settled quickly, so you can move on. This can lead to a new relationship forming between the two parties, which you might not class as ‘friendship’ but it is at least cordial and professional.
Of course, this might not always be the case, and in some separations there can be elements of vindictiveness and spite which contribute to deliberate attempts to undermine the divorce process. So, in a more toxic separation, it may be more difficult to co-operate, particularly where a string of damaging behaviours has occurred in reaching this point. This is not easily forgotten and can manifest itself in how the discussions go. In such cases you would be advised to take a step back and perhaps even leave discussions to your respective legal teams, or at least as much as possible. Such divorce proceedings can be protracted and stressful and can even include targeted abuse which can touch upon new relationships that have formed or on your new home.
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In order to get through a complex divorce case you need to comply with any formal requirements as closely as possible. Even if your partner isn’t doing the same, this will reflect much better on you when further discussions take place, or when the courts get involved. So bring the children round at the appointed time for visits, or return them well within the agreed time window. Children are rightly made prominent in such cases and your fair and reasonable handling of them will work in your favour. Similarly, you should stick to payment conditions for maintenance or for dividing bank accounts or other financial assets, this will all show that you are avoiding contention and acting reasonably, and whilst this might be difficult in the short term, it will benefit you in the long term.
Whilst a potentially chaotic separation is ongoing, it is important to keep time to yourself and to protect your mental and physical health. The separation may have been damaging and so too could the divorce itself, and whilst it is natural to put children and household duties first, having some time in each day when you can switch everything off and indulge yourself – meeting a friend for coffee, going to see a film or even just reading a book - can be hugely recuperative and vital in getting you through a damaging process. Also, surrounding yourself with a strong support network can be critical. Friendly faces, checking in once a day, offering advice and perhaps telling you when you need to back down or stop being stupid, can be a huge force for good at this time, and can all help in eventually finding the resolution you need.
Harrogate Family Law are experts in complex divorce cases. With a leading legal team and an understanding approach to the emotional challenges that divorce presents, Harrogate Family Law will guide you every step of the way.
The firm was launched in 1983 by its founder George Konstantinou and increasingly expanded its operations. The immigration and real estate department of the firm is well-established and has represented many clients from all over the world who invested in Cyprus.
The firm provides the whole range of investment immigration services. It is also an authorised provider of the Cyprus Investment Programme (registry No. 110 of the committee of supervision and control of the Cyprus Investment Programme).
The fierce competition in the legal sector is giving rise to heightened demand for quality services and trustworthy legal professionals with whom people can develop a long-term business relationship. This is one of the main aims of the firm, which constantly evolves to remain up to date with the latest government rules and regulations.
George K. Konstantinou Law Firm is also providing their new website with an online chat where its potential clients can contact its legal professionals at any time of the day and receive a brief consultation regarding Immigration, Real Estate, Investments in Cyprus, Contract Formations, Family Law, Torts’ Law and other sectors. More information can be found on their website.
Moreover, the firm has well understood the expanding demand of the market for diversified and specialised legal services in certain sectors and thus they have taken their services to the next level. The awards reflect their hard work and dedication to these fields of law as well as their successful cases.
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Additionally, this year the George K. Konstaninou Law Firm has secured a position on the world’s largest legal referral guide, The Legal 500, among firms in 150 jurisdictions.
Also, Global Law Experts, a guide to leading attorneys internationally, has also awarded the Firm as an Immigration and Real Estate Law Firm of the Year 2019 in Cyprus.
On Monday, the US Supreme Court made history by delivering oral arguments by telephone, which were streamed live at 10am EST and made available for public viewing.
The event marked a significant chapter in the 231-year history of the Supreme Court, whose judges are known for being both insular and tech-averse.
The departure from norms came in response to the ongoing threat of COVID-19, which has prompted the enactment of social distancing measures across the United States. In response, the nine justices, along with court officials and competing lawyers, held the historic court proceedings from their own offices.
The case being heard was somewhat less monumental: United States Patent and Trademark Office et al. v. Booking.com B.V., the subject of the dispute being whether or not the name of the website “Booking.com” is too generic to be legally trademarked.
In another divergence from legal norms, pre-argument opinions were posted online without any comment from judges.
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A further ten cases are expected to be delivered in this way during the month of May. Three of these cases will concern efforts by New York Prosecutors and Democrats of the House of Representatives to gain access to President Trump’s financial records.
A number of less significant cases originally slated to be heard in March and April have been postponed.
Here are some top tips to help, shared by Emma Jones, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Sheffield.
Some law students are still in student accommodation, while others have moved back to their family home or gone to stay with friends or family. Wherever you are staying, it is important to organise your study materials and find a space to work.
If you are able to have your own study space, try to make it a pleasant place to work – perhaps putting up a picture or photographs and adding a pot plant. If you are studying on a kitchen table, or similar, it’s important to let others in the house know that it is your designated space, so they leave you in peace as much as possible. If you have a choice of places to work, look for somewhere uncluttered with good natural light and a strong wi-fi connection.
Make sure your study materials are well-organised and kept neatly together, for example, on a bookcase or in a large box, so that you don’t waste precious time searching for mislaid books and notes.
With so many module materials and other resources now online, it’s important to ensure you can access and use the right technology. Depending on what software your Law School uses, this may involve downloading relevant apps, locating links to join online sessions, checking you can get your audio to work and finding your way around online library resources.
You can make your life easier by organising your online work carefully. This may include adding internet sites you use regularly to your ‘favourites’ on your browser, ensuring you have a separate folder for each module on your laptop/computer and clearly naming individual files. It may sound basic, but it will save you time in the long run.
You can make your life easier by organising your online work carefully.
It’s also a good idea to write down the contact details of your university’s IT Helpdesk (or similar) and keep them close by in case you need some additional help.
At the moment it can be easy for days to float past blending into each other. That can mean time drifting by and study being ignored. It is important to get into a study routine to make sure you stay on track.
Planning your time may simply mean adapting your usual routine to studying online, or it may mean making a whole new study plan. When organising your time, make sure you schedule in any important commitments (for example, shopping for family or friends), daily exercise and time for relaxation too.
It’s also important to build in regular breaks during study sessions, for example, every 45 minutes. Use the time to stretch your legs and refresh your concentration, you could do some yoga or other exercise, chat with family and friends or have a go at some mindfulness activities – websites and apps such as such as Headspace have a range you can try for free.
Within each study session, also think about varying the type of work you are doing. Staring at a screen for long periods can be tough on both your eyes and your posture. Try to alternate online activities with work away from a screen, such as handwriting notes or reading a textbook.
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Remember you aren’t alone in your studies. Your fellow students are all in the same boat too. Your Law School may be running online sessions, or offering discussion boards or forums to help you keep in touch. Do make the effort to join in and don’t be shy about asking questions. The answer will probably help other students too.
There may also be informal groups on social media that you can join, for example, created by students in the same year of study. These can be a good way of getting additional support, but don’t let them become too much of a distraction and be wary of rumours being spread on them. If in doubt, always check with your module convenor or seminar tutor.
You may also want to think about ways you can keep connected with the wider legal community. There are lots of free webinars going on covering all kinds of legal topics, such as the ones run by Legal Cheek, so keep an eye out for anything you may be interested in.
These are not normal times. Many law students (and legal academics) will find it difficult to focus on their work at present. Don’t be too self-critical if you find your studies harder than usual or you don’t feel you’re working at your usual standard.
If you are finding things overwhelming, remember to reach out to family and friends. Your university will also have resources on wellbeing and mental health and the charity Student Minds have a range of useful resources on their website.
