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“Pessimistic” barristers lukewarm about ABSs
Barristers are showing only “cautious interest” in alternative business structures, although they are keener on barrister-only entities, according to a major survey released yesterday. It also found a “worrying lack of optimisim” in the profession.
Implementation of Jackson reforms pushed back to April 2013
The government has pushed back implementation of the Jackson reforms and the referral fee ban to April 2013, it announced yesterday. However, it knocked back all amendments to key elements of the reforms during a House of Lords debate.
RJW sets sights on dominating consumer legal market
Russell Jones & Walker aims to use its new access to capital to become one of the two or three players that will “dominate” the consumer legal market in the years to come, its chief executive has said.
Goodbye Fellows, hello Chartered Legal Executives
The Institute of Legal Executives was formally presented with its Royal Charter yesterday, transforming Fellows of the Institute into Chartered Legal Executives. The charter protects the title of ILEX members for the first time.
Slater & Gordon to enter UK market with £54m purchase of Russell Jones & Walker
The world’s first listed legal practice, Australia’s Slater & Gordon, is to enter the UK market after agreeing to buy national law firm Russell Jones & Walker for £53.8 million. All of RJW’s principals will continue to work in the new business and are becoming shareholders in S&G.
Long-standing relationship with a client does not mean a continuing retainer, High Court rules
Solicitors who have a long-standing relationship with a client and receive many instructions are not under an implied general retainer to keep under review all previous advice and drafting, the High Court has ruled.
News in brief: jailed solicitor loses appeal, PC renewal progress, onshore LPO boost, and much more
Our regular news round-up reports on a jailed solicitor’s appeal against his seven-year sentence, an SRA update on PC renewal, Integreon’s new LPO facility, the new Law Society advocacy section, pressure on HSBC over conveyancing and Herbert Smith expanding in Belfast.
Rapid consolidation in conveyancing market as hundreds of firms quit
The conveyancing market is consolidating fast, with the big getting bigger and the small getting out, figures from the Land Registry have indicated. Some 1,300 fewer legal practices made applications to the registry for transfers in 2011 than in the previous 12 months.
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.
A4e sets sights on offering spread of “affordable” legal services to individuals and businesses
Leading welfare-to-work business A4e is planning to offer both consumers and businesses a broad range of legal services at a “more affordable” cost than currently seen in the market, it has confirmed.
Quindell adds major accident management business to law firm acquisition
Quindell Portfolio plc – the company which on Tuesday announced its intention to buy Liverpool law firm Silverbeck Rymer – has continued its acquisition spree by taking a 29.9% stake in a major accident management business which will feed work to the firm.
Black lawyers reignite SRA race discrimination row
Around 15 claims of race discrimination against the Solicitors Regulation Authority will be launched shortly, arguing that it treats black and minority ethnic solicitors less favourably than white counterparts, the Society of Black Lawyers has claimed.
Common training and even regulation of solicitors and barristers on the cards, says Law Society chief
The time is coming when the distinction between solicitors and barristers will be “more a matter of tribal culture than function”, the Law Society president has predicted, with common education, training and even potentially regulation on the agenda.
Micro-managing LSB “risks independence of profession”
The Legal Services Board’s “unduly detailed approach to oversight” risks undermining professional independence, the Law Society president has claimed. John Wotton also argued that alternative business structures have “no magic bullet in competitive terms”.
AIM-listed company to buy Liverpool law firm in ABS first
Liverpool law firm Silverbeck Rymer is set to become the first legal practice acquired by a listed company, it was announced this morning. AIM-listed Quindell Portfolio plc is to spend £19.3m on the leading personal injury firm.
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