The UK College of Law has decided to support Lord Browne's review of student funding, which may see the cap on UK university fees removed, reports legalweek.com. The College is seconding Browne's proposals to create a free market for higher education fees, which is aimed at increasing competition and delivering higher standards of education.

JUDGE WINS "COURT CLOSED" CASE

A special US Court of Review has dismissed a public reprimand of Texas' top criminal judge who, by closing her court at 5pm, prevented lawyers from filing a last-minute appeal hours before their client was executed, reports law.com. In dismissing the reprimand, the Court of Review said the Judicial Conduct Panel which issued the reprimand could dismiss the case, issue a public censure or recommend removal from office, but a public reprimand was not allowed.

EVERSHEDS CONSOLIDATES BRANDING

UK firm Eversheds has dissolved its commoditised arm as part of a firm-wide restructure aimed at avoiding confusion about its brand, reports The Lawyer. The firm operates a volume business known as Legal Systems Group, which does financial recovery, remortgaging, volume claims, personal injury and specialist litigation. LSG is usually separate from the firm's four main practice areas, and although Eversheds will continue to offer this work, LSG's partners and fee-earners will now be absorbed into the litigation and real estate practices.

LIVERPOOL FC CASE KICKS OFF

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken centre stage in a high-profile Liverpool FC court battle, reports legalweek.com. Freshfields was appointed as adviser to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on the dispute, which is being heard in the Chancery Division of the High Court, in which RBS, Liverpool's main creditor, is owed approximately £240 million ($384 million) in loans by the club's US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

US ARMY MUST ASK, MUST TELL

A US federal judge has ordered that the US military stop enforcing its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, reports CNN Just In. Judge Virginia Phillips ordered the military to "immediately … suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding, that may have been commenced under 'don't ask, don't tell'."