The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
Consumer panel
Lawyers strike back? EU proposals could allow them to complain about clients
The government has been urged to oppose European proposals that could allow lawyers to make complaints about their clients. The Legal Services Consumer Panel has otherwise welcomed the EU proposals which could provide redress against unregulated providers.
Government kicks off review of LSB and Legal Ombudsman’s roles
The government review of the “continuing need for the functions and the form” of the Legal Services Board and Office for Legal Complaints began yesterday with a call for evidence. It will take up to six months to complete.
ABSs and fixed fees are answer to charities’ legal advice deficit, says consumer panel report
Alternative business structures could be decisive in helping smaller charities access legal advice with fixed fees, according to research which shows many lack understanding of their legal needs and cannot afford solicitors.
Law Society revokes 200 solicitors’ accreditation scheme membership
The Law Society has recently revoked the membership of 200 members of its accreditation schemes, it has revealed. The society was responding to the surprise expressed last week that it had not appeared to expel anyone from any accreditation scheme over the past five years.
Consumer panel: strip incompetent QCs of their rank as part of bid to improve quality marks
QCs should lose their title if they fall below an acceptable standard, the Legal Services Consumer Panel suggested today in a report that calls on legal bodies that run voluntary quality schemes to improve checks on lawyers’ continuing competence so as to boost consumer confidence.
It’s final – LeO decides to name and shame lawyers over complaints
From April 2012 the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) will “name and shame” law firms or lawyers against whom a “pattern of complaints” has been made, or whenever naming is judged to be in the public interest, it announced today.
Legal Services Consumer Panel: still no evidence to justify referral fee ban
The Legal Services Consumer Panel is standing by its recommendation to retain referral fees, saying it has seen no new evidence of consumer detriment to back a ban. Meanwhile, the Bar Council says its legal advice shows referral fees fall foul of the Bribery Act.
SRA unveils strategy to “educate, engage with and empower” consumers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has launched a new strategy aimed at ensuring the interests of consumers “sit at the heart of the legal services marketplace”. It is also working on a project to determine whether the legal profession is meeting the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing.
Barristers seek urgent rule change to allow them to compete more with solicitors
Public access barristers will be able to compete more effectively with solicitors for legal aid clients under an urgent rule change being considered by the Bar Standards Board. However, both the speed of and the motivation for the move have been criticised by the Legal Services Consumer Panel.
LSB launches formal probe into regulating will-writing, probate and estate work
The Legal Services Board today launched its first statutory investigation into whether to extend the scope of regulation, after its consumer panel recommended making will-writing a reserved activity. It goes further, however, by looking at what measures are required to protect consumers in the probate and estate administration markets as well,
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Associate News
Demystifying the banking process – what your bank looks for in your firm
QualitySolicitors Keith Park implements Peppermint Portal
David Thorpe joins fast-growing technology innovator Peppermint Technology
DAS appoints head of marketing
Take client interaction to the next level with the Peppermint Platform
LexisNexis Visualfiles Helps Essex Legal Services deliver savings for the Public Law Partnership
Roadshow highlights potential perils of new COLP/COFA roles
