Editor: John Arnold. E-mail jarnold@creditman.co.uk
Pat Williams. E-mail pwilliams@creditman.co.uk
Site: Business Credit Management UK
URL: http://www.creditman.co.uk
Issue: Vol 5 Issue 3
Dated: 21 January 2001
Welcome to the Business Credit News UK.
In this weeks edition you will find the following topics.
UKMANUFACTURING RECOVERY REMAINS FRAGILE
The recovery in UK manufacturing continued to make slow progress last quarter, with exporters remaining under pressure from the strength of sterling and intense competition, according to the latest quarterly economic survey from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), published Thursday 18 January.
The survey, the largest and most detailed of its kind, covering 7,528 UK firms employing 800,000 staff, shows that manufacturing sales (+12% to +15%) and orders (+11% to +12%) continued to edge forward in UK markets, driven by the improved performance of micro and small sized firms.
Manufacturing export sales, however, remained virtually flat at +6%, while orders slumped seven points to zero growth in the last quarter. Larger firms performed significantly better in export markets than micro and small sized firms.
The survey also shows a rebound in service sector UK sales (+30% to +35%) and orders (+23% to +31%) to the levels seen two quarters ago, but indicators remain below the peaks recorded in 1996/97. Service sector export activity remained broadly stable over the past quarter (+16% sales / +13% orders).
Ian Fletcher, Chief Economist at the BCC, said:
‘’There are signs that UK manufacturing is climbing out of the doldrums, but smaller firms in particular are continuing to struggle in export markets. The recent fall in the trade-weighted value of sterling should offer some relief to hard-pressed manufacturers, but intense competition will make it difficult for them to restore margins.
“Manufacturing is particularly at risk from a slowdown in US growth and pre-emptive action is needed from the Bank to help bolster confidence and investment in the sector.’’
The effect of manufacturers having to operate within tight margins is seen in the continued low levels of investment growth in the sector (equipment +11% / training +22%) and the lowest employment expectations for nearly two years (+9% to +4%).
Manufacturing firms continue to report exchange rates as their main concern (53%), but competition has risen by six points to 49% of firms. Concern about competitive pressures in the service sector also increased by seven points to 40% of firms in the last quarter.
The balance of service sector firms intending to raise prices has increased from +23% to +32%, but pressure from pay settlements remains below recent peaks and there are signs that the labour market has stopped tightening (+28% to +24%). The pressure on manufacturers’ prices from rising raw material costs stabilised in the last quarter, but pay settlements are a growing concern in the sector (+26% to +33%).
The growth in manufacturing employment to its highest level in two years (+6% to +9%) is nearly wholly due to larger businesses and firms’ expectations suggest that this quarter’s improvement may not last. Employment growth in the service sector dipped a point from the three-year high reported last quarter (+24% to +23%) and expectations for the next quarter, though remaining high, ebbed from +28% to +24%.
Ian Fletcher continued:
‘’Although firms in both sectors are facing increased pressures to raise prices, intense competition and the high value of sterling have made it very difficult for them to do so in the past. The recent sharp fall in world commodity prices should also exert downward pressure on prices in the months ahead.’’
EARNINGS DATA SUPPORTS BUSINESS CALL FOR INTEREST RATE CUT - CBI
Last week's official earnings figures show inflationary pressures remain subdued and supports calls by business for an interest rate cut, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Kate Barker, CBI's Chief Economist, said: "This is further confirmation that inflation is subdued. Employment fell slightly and earnings were stable in the autumn. This together with yesterday's inflation figures supports calls by business for an interest rate cut.
"Manufacturing has once again seen the greatest job losses, highlighting the difficult competitive pressures being faced in that sector. Further job losses are expected over the next few months."
ILO unemployment increased by 11,000 between the three months ending August 2000 and the three months ending November 2000. The claimant count measure for December was down in comparison to November with a fall of 2,600 being recorded.
The number of jobs in manufacturing fell by 9,000 between October and November and now stands at 3.914 million.
Average earnings increased by 4.2% over the year to the three months ending November 2000, which compares with 4.2% for the three months ending October and 4.9% in the three months ending November 1999.
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE REORGANISATION
Customs and Excise is reorganising its activities along functional lines. By 1st April 2001, all its activities will be organised into one of two core business units or in a defined support function for those units.
The core business units will be:
Announcing the changes, Richard Broadbent, Chairman of Customs and Excise said:
"We have ambitious targets to meet. We need to go beyond incremental performance improvement based on doing the same things better towards step changes in performance by doing things differently.
"The reorganisation will provide a framework to support this approach. It will create a clearer focus on our core activities and simpler and more empowered management structures. It will also begin the important process of clarifying the relationship between support and front line activities.
"Reorganising structure in itself achieves little. But it does provide the potential for the organisation to become more strategically driven, more able to drive strategies into action and more flexible and responsive to external events and customer requirements. Clarifying the relationship between support and front line is also an essential platform for knowledge management and, through that, a fully e-enabled organisation.
"These are the goals the management team have set themselves."
BYERS ANNOUNCES REVIEW OF DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING COLLECTIVE REDUNDANCIES
Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers announced plans on the 18 January in the House of Commons to review UK arrangements affecting collective redundancies. The review, which will involve the CBI and the TUC, will consider whether the current laws are working and in particular whether more should be done to promote effective consultation with employees. The review will focus on existing provisions on collective redundancies and European Works Councils.
Legislation on collective redundancies requires employers to consult in good time on ways of avoiding or reducing the number of dismissals and of mitigating the consequences of dismissals. Legislation also provides for the establishment and operation of European works councils in larger companies which operate across Europe.
Mr Byers said:
"There are concerns about the way employees find out about large scale redundancies and the lack of consultation. I share these concerns. It is unacceptable for people to learn from a local radio station that they are to lose their jobs. Our legislation does set down requirements for consultation but I want to look at whether it is effective and whether it could be improved.
"We need to look very carefully at how the provisions have operated in practice and to consider the steps necessary to provide our own solution to this issue.
"I remain opposed to new European legislation in this area affecting all companies.
"My department will be reviewing these questions in consultation with the TUC and CBI."
The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 requires consultation in good time on collective redundancies; including consulting with a view to reaching agreement on ways of avoiding or reducing the number of dismissals; and ways of mitigating the consequences of dismissals.
The Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 provide for the establishment and operation of European works councils in larger companies which operate across Europe.
If you want to keep tabs on the Dot Com companies that are not doing so well you will find loads of free information at http://www.thecompost.com/
One such company is LETSBUYIT.COM
Letsbuyit.com has won a small reprieve from bankruptcy after it was given until next Thursday to find the money it needs to stay in business. Letsbuyit got into difficulties because like many dotcoms it began running out of cash.
Although talks are still continuing between the e-tailer's management and bankers, the prospects of a rescue are looking slim, with the company needing to find 4 million euros - £2.5 million.
The company was able to sell goods at discount prices by getting groups of customers together to secure better "volume" prices.
If the company does go bust, it will leave a long list of major creditors.
CALIFORNIA'S POWER COMPANIES IN TROUBLE
California's power crisis worsened as blackouts began and the governor declared a state of emergency. Southern California Edison, one of the electricity companies facing bankruptcy, defaulted on debt repayments of $596m. Its credit rating and that of another big Californian utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, both reached junk status.
Source - The Economist
GLOBALSTAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The satellite-phone company, suspended debt repayments and dividends to husband its dwindling supplies of cash. The company denied that it was heading for bankruptcy; but it has secured only 35,000 of the 1m subscribers it needed to break even. In recent years two other satellite-communications companies, Iridium and ICO Global, have crashed to earth.
Source - The Economist
ECGD AND US EXIM-BANK SIGN CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT
The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) of the United Kingdom and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) on the 17 January signed a co-operation agreement that will make it easier for exporters in both countries to compete in the global economy. It is Ex-Im Bank's first such co-financing agreement with the export credit agency (ECA) of another nation. Ex-Im Bank's Board of Directors last week approved co-financing principles and new foreign content and local cost procedures to guide bilateral negotiations on co-financing agreements with ECAs.
Under the agreement signed in London by Ex-Im Bank Chairman James A. Harmon and ECGD Chief Executive Vivian Brown, Ex-Im Bank and ECGD will enable American and British exporters to provide "one-stop-shop" trade finance services to their buyers. This allows companies to source their foreign orders from more than one country while dealing with only one export credit agency (ECA).
"This agreement paves the way for Ex-Im Bank and ECGD to co-finance projects, enabling exporters in both of our countries to choose the best mix of price and technology to strengthen their overseas bids," said Ex-Im Bank's Harmon. "At the same time, exporters will be able to provide their buyers with only one set of terms and conditions covering both countries' sourcing elements."
ECGD's Vivian Brown added: "We are delighted to be a party to U.S. Ex-Im Bank's first ever co-operation agreement. I am sure it will provide significant benefits to exporters and lenders in both our countries. In our experience, co-operation agreements can make all the difference to winning a contract when a competitive tender is called for."
Harmon said the administrative simplicities and seamless financing provided under the new agreement will change the way Ex-Im Bank does business. "We hope it will provide a model for similar structures with other governments, enabling Ex-Im Bank to deliver the same type of flexibility offered by an ever-increasing number of ECAs."
The main features of the agreement are:
ECGD, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, Britain's official export credit agency, is a separate Government Department responsible to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. One of its main functions is to underwrite bank loans to enable overseas buyers to purchase capital and project related goods/services from the UK. ECGD has now signed cooperation agreements with the agencies of 23 countries, 14 of which include reinsurance provisions. So far, 34 deals have been concluded with a combined value of over £5 bn. There is one deal already being considered for joint ECGD/Ex-Im Bank support.
Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the sale of U.S. exports primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loans, guarantees, and insurance. Ex-Im Bank supported $15.5 billion in U.S. exports in fiscal year 2000.
Under revised foreign content procedures approved last week, Ex-Im Bank will continue to support the lesser of 85% of the U.S. supply contract or 100% of the U.S. content of an export transaction. However Ex-Im Bank will now use an aggregated approach to calculating the foreign content of transactions, replacing the item-by-item procedure used until now. The simplified procedures provide U.S. exporters with a more efficient and predictable disbursement process. Ex-Im Bank will work with exporters to monitor and report on the impact of these procedural changes to ensure they achieve the desired result of maximising U.S. exports and U.S. jobs.
Ex-Im Bank still provides up to 15% of the U.S. contract price of an export to support locally obtained products and services in the country of the foreign buyer. Under the newly approved procedures, Ex-Im Bank has eased the eligibility criteria in three ways:
Following a petition presented by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the High Court to wind up Caring Parents Limited in the public interest, a winding up order was made against the company on 11 January 2001. The petition was presented following an investigation carried out under Section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 by staff of Companies Investigation Branch.
The Official Receiver has been appointed liquidator of the company.
Caring Parents Limited was incorporated on 11 May 1998 and sold licences for between £20,000 and £30,000 with the promise of substantial returns to "regional directors" throughout the UK to promote and administer the Caring Parents Club. The Club provided various discounts and benefits in return for an annual subscription of £30, but during the first year of business only 136 members had been recruited. In spite of this low interest the company continued to recruit "regional directors" and had begun to recruit franchisees at a level below the regional director.
The registered office of the company is at 399 Bury New Road, Salford, Manchester M7 2BT, which was also its trading address.
The petition was presented under Section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986.
All public enquiries concerning the company should be made to:-
The Official Receiver
Public Interest Unit
The Insolvency Service
P O Box 203
21 Bloomsbury Street
LONDON WC1B 3QW
*** FORTHCOMING CREDITORS MEETINGS ***
Contributed byhttp://www.insolvency.co.uk
For more detailed information and ALL the British Isles insolvency's (liquidation's, receiverships, administrations, dividends, creditors) please visit http://www.insolvency.co.uk
138 Scotland - Interim Liquidator calling Creditors Meeting 22/01/2001 Eurogarden Grimmway Ltd Aberdeen KPMG 24/01/2001 Wester Hailes Greenway Centres LtdGlasgow Kroll Buchler 48 Receiver calling unsecured Creditors Meeting 23/01/2001 Saunders Abbott (1980) Ltd London HLB Kidsons 98 Creditors Voluntary Liquidations 22/01/2001 Architectural Ironmongery Serv (SE) Lt Horwath Clark Beefy Bob Ltd Bury Horsfields Bustemp Ltd Southampton Roger Evans Capital Replacement Doors Ltd Bately O'Hara & Co EI (2000) Ltd Romford Keith Stout & G & B Build & Civol Engine Cont Ltd Henderson Loggie KGB Resources Plc London David Rubin & Co KIFU Ltd Barnet Kelmanson Livemode Ltd Manchester A H Tomlinson & Co New Image Quality Hair Ltd Northwood Bhardwaj OBN International Trust Ltd London Hacker Young Pateras Brothers Shipbrokers (UK) Ltd Kallis & Co Plummer Norton Hudson Ltd Milton Keynes PricewaterhouseCoop R & C Plant Sales (Scotland) Ltd Dundee Henderson Loggie Reliance Book Binding Co Ltd St Albans Mercer & Hole Sightline Installations Ltd Droitwich Haden Spencefield Hosiery Co Ltd Lutterworth F A Simms & 23/01/2001 Anglia Truck Tyres Ltd Cambridge Peters Elworthy & Business Community Press Ltd - TheLondon Langley & Partners Cafe Trends Ltd Birmingham Wetton & Co Clehil Engineering Co Ltd Droitwich Haden Complex Component Group Ltd Droitwich Haden Deeceil Contracts Ltd Gosforth Tait Walker Food Fetish Ltd Manchester Hodgsons G Stockton & Son Ltd Birmingham Poppleton & Appleby Heritage Slate Manufacturing Co Ltd Poppleton & Appleby Hymas Control & Automation Ltd Worcester Smith & Williamson Panel-On (Bristol) Ltd Bristol NMGW Strategys Ltd Old Fletton BDO Stoy Hayward Stubs Training Ltd Manchester A H Tomlinson & Co Swansea Flooring & Interiors Ltd Swansea T & D Industries Plc Brighouse PricewaterhouseCoop Town-Index Ltd Milton Keynes Grant Thornton Underhill Training Ltd Reading Bridgers Westgate International Marketing Ltd Milner Boardman & White House Car Centre Ltd Sheffield Poppleton & Appleby 24/01/2001 Alertina Ltd London Jeffreys Henry Bedworth Electrical Supplies Ltd Lutterworth F A Simms & Cryovac Systems Ltd Hove Mazars Neville Design Manufacturing Ltd London Andrew & Co Design Process Management Ltd Gerrards CrossPhillips & Co G A Engineering (Coventry) Ltd Warwick The Till Morris Mall Management S C Ltd Leeds Geoffrey Martin & Marketing Point Ltd Dudley Castle & Co
TW LW TW LW
USA 1.47 1.49 Canada 2.23 2.26
Austria 21.69 21.78 Portugal 316.06 317.33
France 10.34 10.38 Belgium 63.59 63.85
Finland 9.37 9.41 Italy 3052.57 3064.92
Germany 3.08 3.09 Sweden 14.05 13.99
Holland 3.47 3.48 Switzerland 2.42 2.42
Spain 262.32 263.37 Ireland 1.24 1.24
Australia 2.66 2.65 Denmark 11.77 11.82
Hong Kong 11.52 11.77 Euro 1.57 1.58
Africa Com 11.66 11.41 Saudi Arabia 5.54 5.66
India 68.56 70.52 Malaysia 5.61 5.73
Singapore 2.56 2.61 Norway 12.96 13.13
Japan 176.54 175.71
TW This week LW Last week.
ML Laboratories, the drug delivery and surgical products company, announced pre-tax losses of 11.8 million pounds, on turnover of 11.9 million, for the year ending 30th September 2000.
Online Travel announced pre-tax losses of 2.49 million pounds, on turnover of 20.7 million, for the eight months ending 31st October 2000.
De Beers, a company that controls two-thirds of the world's rough-cut diamonds, announced a joint venture with LVMH, a French luxury-goods conglomerate, to sell branded diamonds. The new company will use the De Beers name to market finished diamond jewellery to the wealthy. It will not source the gems directly from De Beers but will obtain them from top diamond polishers.
Opel's bad results contributed to a sharp fall in GM's fourth-quarter profits of 51%. The car maker blamed losses in Asia as well as Europe. Ford too reported a 33% fall in fourth-quarter profits.
Nestle, the Swiss food company best known for its chocolate and coffee, agreed to pay $10.3 billion for Ralston Purina, the world's second-largest pet-food firm. The addition of the Purina brand to Nestle's Friskies, Fancy Feast and Gourmet will make the Swiss company a global leader in dog and cat food, a market worth some $25 billion a year.
Tomkins, a British conglomerate, said that it was talking to two American gun companies about getting shot of its Smith & Wesson handgun unit. Tomkins paid $112m for the gun company in 1987 but expects to recoup considerably less; the company carries contingent liabilities as it and other gun makers are pursued for compensation through America's courts.
MERGER NEWS
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has decided, on the information at present before him, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Director General of Fair Trading, not to refer the following merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973:Proposed acquisition by Amerada Hess Corporation of Lasmo plc
PROPOSED ACQUISITION BY NIMBUS HOLDINGS LTD OF 46% OF NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES LIMITED
Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, announced last week that he intends to seek undertakings from Serco Group plc ("Serco") to remedy competition concerns arising from the proposed acquisition by its subsidiary, Nimbus Holdings ("Nimbus"), of a 46% stake in National Air Traffic Services Ltd ("NATS"). His decision is in accordance with the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT).
Mr Byers said:
"This proposed acquisition would reduce competition in the market for air traffic control (ATC) training. If the acquisition went ahead, the new company would have an effective monopoly in the training of UK air traffic controllers. This might allow the new company to discriminate against third parties in the provision of ATC training. I therefore agree with the DGFT's advice that Serco should give behavioural undertakings to ensure the provision of airport ATC training courses to third parties on a non-discriminatory basis. I have asked the DGFT to seek such undertakings and to report further by 14 February 2001. I am making this decision solely in the execution of my duties relating to UK mergers."
Interested parties are invited to make their views known on the appropriateness of these measures to remedy the adverse effects of the proposed merger. Representations should be made to the Office of Fair Trading by 31 January 2001.
Mr Byers has made this decision in the pursuance of his duties relating to UK mergers under the Fair Trading Act 1973. The implementation of a Public-Private Partnership Scheme for air traffic control, and the choice of the Government's preferred partner, are matters for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
As this was a pre-notified merger, the Secretary of State was required to reach his decision on referral to the Competition Commission before a statutory deadline of 19 January 2001.
Interested parties are invited to make representations on the contents and scope of the undertakings which should be offered. Any such representations should be sent in writing to Mike Potts, Office of Fair Trading, Fleetbank House 2-6 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8JX (Fax: 020 7211 8916) by 5 p.m. on 31 January 2001.
STEPHEN BYERS ACCEPTS UNDERTAKINGS FROM NATIONAL EXPRESS GROUP
Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on the 17 January 2001 announced that he has accepted undertakings from National Express Group plc (NEG) in relation to its acquisition of Prism Rail plc.
Mr Byers said:
"On 15 November, I published for consultation draft undertakings to address competition concerns relating to this merger. The Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) has now submitted to me undertakings offered by the National Express Group having taken account of the comments made during the consultation period.
The DGFT has advised me that, in his view, undertakings in the form proposed should remedy or prevent the adverse effects that might result from the merger. I agree with the DGFT's advice. Accordingly, I have decided to accept the undertakings from NEG in lieu of a reference to the Competition Commission. I am publishing the undertakings and the DGFT's advice as I am required to do."
E-Minister Patricia Hewitt on the 19 January 2001 urged Japanese companies to see the UK as their launch pad for expansion and success into Europe.
Speaking to Keidanren, the Japanese CBI equivalent in Tokyo, Ms Hewitt said:
"We are second to none in Europe in attracting world class companies. We continue to attract around 40% of all Japanese and US investment into Europe and remain the number one destination for foreign direct investment into Europe.
"Over one thousand Japanese companies are located in the UK. There are 278 Japanese manufacturing operations and some 160 Japanese companies with R&D activity. Fujitsu, Sony, Toshiba, NEC and Hitachi are just some of the world class Japanese companies with significant manufacturing and R&D operations. They are contributing to the UK's success, and the UK is contributing to theirs.
"In the UK we are working to ensure that we meet the challenge of change. We have a unique position in the global economy, with our leading role in Europe, our strong ties across the Atlantic, our historical trading links with the Asia Pacific region, and our global language.
"Above all we share with Japan a commitment to growth and prosperity through competition; a commitment to an open, rule based and globally inclusive system for international trade and a commitment to working closely together with others through trade, investment and policy co-operation."
"As our companies encounter the same challenges, they will benefit from mutual investment and joint ventures.
"As our governments face the same challenges, we will benefit from closer collaboration in tackling both national and global problems.
"And to the many Japanese companies who see their future as globally competitive companies, I would say: to have a global presence you need to be in Europe and the UK is the preferred European location among global companies for e-commerce. We have achieved this by being open and competitive.
"We hope to work with Japan to build a seamless global market for e-business. We hope and expect that more Japanese companies will chose the UK as the launching pad for expansion and success in Europe."
Ms Hewitt agreed a joint statement with the Japanese Government to provide a framework for co-operation on a range of e-commerce issues such as consumer confidence, data and intellectual property protection and security.
She said:
"We know that fear of e-commerce is one of the barriers that stop people using the Internet to its full. People need to have the same confidence when ordering something from London or from Tokyo.
"We can provide Japanese and UK industry with the best possible conditions for carrying out e-commerce globally. That is why I was pleased to agree, with the Government of Japan, closer policy co-operation to help stimulate the global market for e-commerce."
CIVIL COURTS MAKE A CLAIM FOR THE CUSTOMER
Making a claim from your computer or digital TV is just one way that people will be able to get access to justice under plans to improve customer service in the civil and family courts announced last week by David Lock, Minister at the Lord Chancellor's Department.
The Court Service consultation paper, Modernising the Civil Courts, outlines how technology and new ways of working can be used to improve the range and quality of services available for people who need to use the civil courts. The proposals, which received a £43 million funding boost in the Spending Review 2000, are the first major review of the way the civil courts deliver services to the customer. They aim to support the progress made by civil justice reforms launched in April 1999 and create a civil court system fit for the 21st century.
David Lock said:
"This is an unparalleled period in the history of the civil justice system. In the space of less than a decade we have seen significant civil justice reform and the birth of a new era in Human Rights. There have been major changes in the way citizens interact with the state and with each other. Disputes are no longer simply about local problems, and often relate to contracts and agreements made across regional and national boundaries.
"Yet the structure of the civil courts and the way they work has not kept pace with these changes. Most people using the court are still limited to communicating in writing or by attending in person. While this was entirely appropriate for the time of Dickens, it no longer serves modern day society. Nor does the location of county courts best match service to need. While many of the urban and suburban courts are close to each other with good public transport links, rural courts, where public transport is difficult, are thinly spread.
"Developments in technology have given people more direct access to services from their own homes, the library, workplace and even the supermarket. E-mail has become the communication medium of choice for much of business. People are able to see the benefits of technology in other areas of their lives and, rightly, expect better services and modern facilities from the courts.
"These proposals show how the civil courts can, with the help of technology and partnerships with other agencies, provide easier and cheaper access to justice."
The proposals include:
Ian Magee, Chief Executive of the Court Service said:
"These proposals are about extending court services into the heart of the community. Modern technology allows the court into people's living rooms and offices via personal computers and digital TV, making our services available at times and in ways that suit our customers. But so much of our work involves those who have no access to technology, or who are excluded by language or disability. Through partnerships with advice agencies we hope to reach out into society to those who might otherwise be excluded.
"Changes will happen at different speeds. Some ideas are already being tried in the courts, and the report outlines the proposals for more pilot projects. It is important that our customers - those who already use the courts, and those who may have to do so, consider these suggestions and give us their views about the service they want from the civil courts in the 21st century."
Lord Justice Brooke, who represents the judges on the Board that produced the consultation paper, said:
"The Court Service has kept the judges fully informed of these ideas. The judges are keen to see that sensible use is made of modern technology and working methods in the day to day business of the courts, and we will study people's responses to these suggestions with interest."
The pilot projects include:
The Court Service aims to produce a blueprint for the future of the civil and family courts and a detailed implementation plan by early summer 2001. This will take account of responses to this consultation which ends on 21st April 2001.
24 January Sussex & Surrey Branch of the ICM Annual General Meeting followed by Dinner with guest speaker: Ted Brown The Imperial Hotel Hove Time: 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. February 19th Wessex Branch of the ICM Mark Burgess of ETS (Export Training Services) Incoterms 2000 Royal Southampton Yacht Club Channel View Road, Southampton. 7pm for 7.30pm start Refreshments provided. 4th to 10th March National Credit Week 7th March Credit Today Awards 2001 Natural History Museum. London Wednesday and Thursday 7th and 8th March Credit 2001 The Event for the Commercial and Consumer Credit Industry Olympia London Thursday 8th March 2001 Companies House Seminar Swallow Hotel Peterborough Lynch Wood Peterborough Business Park Peterborough Registration 5.30pm - 6.00pm Tuesday 13 March Sussex & Surrey Branch of the ICM Alternative Dispute Resolution - Mediation Speaker: Russell Caller of Gillhams, Solicitors The Bridge House Hotel Reigate Time: 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. Sponsored by Gillhams, Solicitors Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 24th to 26th October 2001 International Credit Exhibition & Conference The Westin Stamford, Singapore http://www.internationalcredit001.com Mailto:info@internationalcredit001.com # = pounds sterling If you have an event coming up which is credit management related and you would like us to make an entry in the Diary section please e-mail the details to jarnold@creditman.co.uk
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