Market intelligence for law firms of the future
Competence
High Court backs solicitors in mortgage fraud case
The defence protecting honest solicitors duped by mortgage fraudsters that was erected by the Court of Appeal last year has been reinforced by the High Court. A law firm can be relieved of consequential liability for a breach of trust if it acts honestly and reasonably.
Lawyers “need to unbundle services” to compete with online providers
Lawyers should offer ‘unbundled’ legal services to the public in order to improve access to the law – and also to compete with online document assembly services like Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom, the American Bar Association has said.
SRA needs to hold “overzealous lawyers” to account for advice that enables client wrongdoing
Transactional lawyers should be held accountable if their advice is used by clients for unlawful acts and strict conduct rules are necessary to police this rather than an outcomes-focused principle, law academics have argued.
CA clears law firm of £185,000 mortgage fraud liability after being duped by bogus practice
The Court of Appeal has reversed a ruling that held a solicitors’ firm caught up in a mortgage fraud liable for the loss after being tricked by a bogus practice. The High Court had ruled that Davisons Solicitors in Birmingham had to repay £184,500 to the Nationwide Building Society.
Survey reveals mixed response to Conveyancing Quality Scheme
Just over half of conveyancing firms have applied for accreditation under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, with those yet to do so unconvinced of the benefits, according to new research.
City firm to license out matter risk management system that saves it £600k a year in PII premiums
A City law firm is to license out to other practices a matter risk management system that has helped eliminate claims against the firm in recent times and saved around £600,000 a year in professional indemnity insurance premiums.
News round-up: barrister jailed for chambers theft, another mySRA extension, and much more
Our latest news round-up reports on a barrister jailed after stealing £72,500 from his chambers, more problems with the SRA’s online PC renewal system, surveys on fixed fees and compliance, and the appeal court upholding a ruling against a firm innocently caught up in mortgage fraud.
Solicitors “sitting on sizeable tax rebates”
Conveyancers will soon be responsible for making commercial clients aware of capital allowances reports and should be careful not to be caught out or risk a negligence action, a tax expert has warned.
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.
New funder targets smaller disputes with fee structure unrelated to damages
A new third-party litigation funder enters the market today promising to target far lower-value commercial disputes than other providers, and not take a percentage of damages as its fee – with a professional negligence expert warning that lawyers could face legal action for not considering their clients’ funding options.
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Associate News
A well earnt break for CILEx student as PSG announce Title and Legal Insurance competition winner
50 new jobs at Moneypenny
Legal Eye launches unique seminars on law firm compliance, risk management and marketing
Conveycentric conference for licensed conveyancers spotlights need to protect lender panel status
Hillyer McKeown adopts SOS Connect to boost client service delivery in six-figure deal
Material or non-material? That is the question
Conveycentric welcomes regulator’s statement on risk management tools
