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By Michael Scutt, 12/03/2010 2:58 pm

I haven’t blogged much on here recently, partly because of being busy at work but also because I have been setting up two other blogs and a podcast.

The first blog – ukblawgroundup – I’ve mentioned on here before.  This is the name of the blog carnival for UK Lawyers which reviews the UK legal blogging scene.  The next edition is published on the 31^st March, with submissions due by 17^th.  Peninsulawyer will be hosting it.

The other new blog I am starting is one that focuses on the Legal Services Act 2007 and the whole debate over Tesco Law.  I’ve lectured on this recently and I’ve due to start a series of lectures (to solicitors) for MBL Seminars the week after next. Much of my time over the last couple of weeks has been spent preparing the notes.  Whilst doing that it occurred to me that it would be a good plan to start a blog specifically devoted to legal deregulation, rather than putting it up on this blog as I have been to date.  I have created a blog called “There may be trouble ahead” and it will go live shortly.  URL details will be posted here.

I plan to kick off with a post on the issue of who would actually want to buy a law firm and then a guest post from Mark Greenhouse of Resq on the application of “Lean” principles in law firms.   I’ll be looking for guest bloggers to give their take on Tesco Law – please contact me if you would be interested in contributing. Other projects include a series of slidecasts (slideshare presentations but with added sound) on the basic aspects of the LSA, to give some background on the basics.   I’m hoping people will contribute and that we can have,  as Mrs Merton used to say on her show “a heated debate”.

When I’m not blogging on Tesco law I’m still going to be writing on employment issues here at Jobsworth.

Finally, I recorded a podcast with Brian Inkster of Inksters Solicitors Glasgow.  That will be up very shortly – hopefully this weekend.

Have a good weekend.

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By michaelscutt, 15/07/2009 9:11 am

Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, has come under fire for not only being a political lightweight out of his depth in one of the most important offices of state, but also for wearing a moustache (well, we are approaching the silly season).  An article at www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article6709864.ece suggests that a moustache often signifies the wearer is homosexual or, of more importance to this blog, that it is a symbol of ”the constipated mentality of an inept, small-town jobsworth”, being the impression that Mr Ainsworth’s “facial furniture” gives to some.  I make no comment on that. 

Luke Leitch, the author of the article, also mentions notable other Jobsworths, including the bus-conductor Blakey from On the Buses  -  the inspiration for this blog.  I can just see him now saying “I hate you Butler” (or should that be “I hate you Mandelson”?)  Marvellous.

This Jobsworth doesn’t wear one by the way.  Mrs J wouldn’t hear of it.

On the subject of the family we’ve just come back from a relaxing family holiday (there’s a non sequitur for you) and I am still in holiday mode.  I was interested to read that the government wants to review the default retirement age of 65.  This announcement comes in the week that the Heyday challenge  makes its long circuitous route back to the High Court.  I doubt that we’ll get Judgment this week, of course, but at long last the end may be in sight. 

Whether the government’s decision to review the state retirement age has anything to do with them contemplating defeat in the High Court I couldn’t say but with increasing  numbers of pensioners to support in the next thirty plus years it makes sense to allow those who want to carry on working able to do so.  There is a mechanism in place at the moment where employees can ask to work on after the default retirement age but it is a bit of a palaver and, like many people, I cannot see how a default retirement age does not discriminate against older people.

More to come on this.