Other lawyers

News in brief: £1m anti-Jackson ad campaign, Law Society enters The Cube, and more

The Cube, Birmingham

Our round-up of other significant news stories includes a law firm using its new PI advertising campaign to highlight its opposition to the Jackson reforms, and the Law Society/SRA moving into swish new Birmingham offices.

January 3rd, 2012

IPReg set for ABS licensing authority application

trade mark symbol

The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) is set to apply to become an alternative business structure licensing authority, it has emerged. A scoping document published last week lays out the process required to be designated in October 2013.

December 21st, 2011

Ombudsman tells “phoenix” firms: you can run, but you cannot hide

Adam Sampson

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.

December 19th, 2011

“Unprecedented rise” in number of students training to become costs lawyers

Iain Stark

The number of people choosing to train as a costs lawyer has almost doubled during 2011 as the impact of several major forces – including the Jackson reforms and the Legal Services Act – are felt in the costs sector, the Association of Costs Lawyers has reported.

December 7th, 2011

Licensed conveyancers unveil rival to CQS amid warning that lenders are becoming backdoor regulators

plots all sold sign

The body representing licensed conveyancers has launched a quality assurance scheme uniquely linked to their regulator in a bid to help detect mortgage fraud. The move by the Society of Licensed Conveyancers goes significantly further than the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

November 24th, 2011

New legal regulator takes the reins

Iain Stark

The professional standards of costs lawyers will in future be independently assured after the Costs Lawyer Standards Board this week became their approved regulator. They can become partners in LDPs and are within the Legal Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

November 4th, 2011

High Court winds up “objectionable” will-writing businesses

will 4

Three companies involved in the provision of will and trusts were wound up in the High Court last week, following an investigation by Company Investigations, part of the Insolvency Service. They used telesales staff to cold-call consumers to persuade them to accept a home visit.

October 28th, 2011

Exclusive: top conveyancing practice becomes the first ever ABS

Kevin Smith

Legal Futures can reveal that Premier Property Lawyers – one of the largest conveyancing businesses in the country – has today become the first ever alternative business structure as the new regime finally gets underway.

October 6th, 2011

Bid to shut down will-writing companies as LSB launches regulation evidence call

will

The Insolvency Service last week presented petitions to wind up three will-writing businesses. The news comes as the Legal Services Board issues a call for evidence on whether to make will-writing, the entire probate process and estate administration reserved legal activities.

September 6th, 2011

Will-writers face conduct compliance checks

will

The Society of Will Writers is stepping up efforts to position itself as the regulator of the industry by introducing compliance checks against its new code of practice. The SWW is the largest will-writing body with 2,000 members.

August 9th, 2011