The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
Legal Ombudsman
LeO presses ahead with bid to cover claims managers and unregulated legal providers
The Legal Ombudsman is to press ahead with bids to take over complaints against claims management companies, and also extend its jurisdiction to unregulated groups such as will-writers and employment advisers.
News in brief: LeO apology, barrister ‘first’, interest on costs ruling and CLC chief leaves
Our latest news round-up reports on an apology over the sudden change in the Legal Ombudsman’s address, which affects all lawyers, a unique agreement between a law firm and a barrister, a crucial ruling on interest on costs, and the exit of the CLC’s chief executive.
News in brief: solicitors, accountants and IFAs join forces, “ABSs are future for conveyancing”, and more
Our latest news round-up takes in an innovative partnership to combine financial, taxation and legal advice, an update on ABS applications, the role for ABSs in the conveyancing market, growing fraud claims against solicitors, support for provisional assessment, and new blood at the OLC.
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.
Firms and chambers could be forced to publish how many complaints they receive
Law firms and barristers’ chambers may be forced to publish statistics on how efficiently they handle complaints internally – including how many they receive – the Legal Ombudsman has suggested.
Ombudsman tells “phoenix” firms: you can run, but you cannot hide
The Legal Ombudsman has warned “phoenix” law firms that seek to avoid the consequences of their actions by closing down and reopening – and even changing regulators – that it can still pursue them for past complaints.
LeO fights off first judicial reviews of ombudsman decisions but five more are in the wings
The Legal Ombudsman has successfully fought off two judicial reviews against its decisions, with a further five currently going through the court process, Legal Futures can reveal. The SRA has also fought off the two JRs of its new qualified lawyer transfer scheme.
Fine for first solicitor taken to court by LeO – but judge says prison may be right for others
A solicitor has for the first time been fined by the High Court for failing to co-operate with an investigation by the Legal Ombudsman. The High Court used the case to stress that such failures could also lead to immediate imprisonment.
Ombudsman should have jurisdiction over will-writers and not-for-profits, says report
The Legal Ombudsman should press to extend its jurisdiction to complaints about non-lawyer will-writers and the not-for-profit sector, while the government needs to review its inadequate powers over complaints against CMCs, a study has recommended.
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Associate News
Waterfront Solicitors dramatically improves billing efficiency thanks to Virtual Practices
Peppermint Legal Service Platform to support iPads and smartphones
LexisNexis responds to changes in the law with new pensions product
PSG announced as exclusive sponsors of the Law Society CQS networking events in March
LexisNexis answers customer requests for on-the-move access via iPad and iPhone
Tikit helps Linklaters implement global template and Microsoft Office 2010 upgrade
LexisNexis releases online resource for criminal lawyers
