The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
Regulation
SRA rejects calls to curb publication of regulatory decisions against solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has rejected calls from the Law Society and practitioners to curb the amount of information it publishes about solicitors subject to regulatory sanctions – despite particular concern over referrals to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Divisions over advocacy scheme harden as regulators face battle to keep it alive
Divisions over quality assurance for advocates have deepened after solicitors were advised not to take part in a Bar Standards Board survey on the issue, while specialist Bar associations have been urged to oppose QASA as well.
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.
Conveyancing regulator warns HSBC and other lenders about restricted panels
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has waded into the row over HSBC’s 43-strong conveyancing panel, expressing concern that “the limited size panel risks inadvertently restricting consumer choice and distorting competition in the conveyancing market”.
SRA warns solicitors off SDLT evasion schemes
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a formal warning to lawyers to think twice before becoming involved in stamp duty land tax schemes. It will look “very closely” at the conduct of any firm actively involved in such schemes,
Quality scheme risks independence of advocates, leading judge warns
The proposed Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates threatens the independence of advocates, a senior judge claimed yesterday. Lord Justice Moses argued that quality of advocacy is best assured through compulsory training and more active reporting of poor advocates by judges.
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.
Townsend: SRA surprised by high level of ABS applications
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has so far received more alternative business structure applications than it expected, chief executive Antony Townsend admitted yesterday. He also suggested that there will in time be growing momentum towards consolidating the eight current legal regulators into one.
Lawyers told: don’t be put off social media by barrister fined over tweets
Lawyers were this week told not to be discouraged from embracing social media after a barrister who was among the legal pioneers on Twitter was fined for messages he posted on the service. However, the case does raise questions over the role of regulators in policing lawyers’ activity on Twitter.
Government to consider tightening up referral fee ban and regulating third-party funding
The government is to consider tightening up the ban on referral fees in personal injury and also introducing statutory regulation of third-party litigation funding, it confirmed yesterday. It also clarified whether payments can be made for solicitor-to-solicitor referrals under the ban.
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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
