With money tight, police forces are outsourcing tasks including criminal-case preparation to private firms.

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He said the need to line up international witnesses and the complexity of the case required more time for preparation.

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Mrs Palin, and fellow local government leader Rudy Giuliani who preceded the Alaskan governor, laid out the case for how municipal leadership is excellent preparation for the nation's highest executive position.

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Not that covering this industry is ever exactly boring, but when key players like SanDisk spokesperson Carm Lyman offer to put something valuable on the line -- in this case, her flowing locks -- in preparation for the holiday sales figures, well, we can't help but get drawn in.

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They claimed that given the relative novelty of the case there was a need for detailed pleadings and more time was likely to be needed for preparation.

BBC: Tayside and Central Scotland