Andy Bean writes:

Wasted loads of time this morning looking for the new Litigators Fee Guidance July 08 as referred to on the NEW October 08 LF1 form. When using my usual route through the LSC web site (Pay rates and Schemes - Litigators Fee Scheme), I could only find the March version, however, when taking our Mr Barnes' route (Crown Court work - Litigators Fee) there it was. What's that all about? I am sure someone somewhere is " Having a laugh".

One useful thing I did find was the notice that new applications for Duty Slots were now being accepted for the next rota with a deadline of 14th November. Existing Duty Solicitors will be automatically transferred across onto the new rotas.

AB

Here are the previous Top Tips by way of background. So far they are all telephone related, as is this one.

LSC why not purchase an automated phone answering service which cannot re-route calls but requires the caller to write down another number and then ring back. This will allow you to continue to deliver "excellent customer service".

This post will explain the background to this new series and the second "top tip" similarly relates to phone contact with law firms:

"Solicitors why not provide your receptionist with a pad of paper and a pencil so that they can take messages from callers".

If you are not familiar with Viz Comic (which is understandable given that it is often childish and puerile and appeals only to big kids like me) you will have missed out their fantastic "Top Tips" section. This replicates the type of barroom wisdom often found at the bottom of tabloid letters pages. You can read 195 examples here.

My recent favourite (8/195) reads as follows:

DAILY MAIL EDITORS. Confuse your readers by claiming that asylum seekers are the natural predators of paedophiles

I am often put in mind of such pearls during contact with the profession and so am starting here a law specific set of top tips, LATTs, to help and guide the developing post Carter law firms.

So here is the first in an irregular series:

No 1

Solicitors why not put the person in the firm with the worst hearing, least understanding of the switchboard and the poorest communication skills on reception so as to enhance your clients experience of your firm.

Send your own for inclusion.