The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
Other lawyers
News in brief: £1m anti-Jackson ad campaign, Law Society enters The Cube, and more
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.
IPReg set for ABS licensing authority application
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.
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.
“Unprecedented rise” in number of students training to become costs lawyers
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.
Licensed conveyancers unveil rival to CQS amid warning that lenders are becoming backdoor regulators
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.
New legal regulator takes the reins
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.
High Court winds up “objectionable” will-writing businesses
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.
Exclusive: top conveyancing practice becomes the first ever ABS
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.
Bid to shut down will-writing companies as LSB launches regulation evidence call
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.
Will-writers face conduct compliance checks
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.
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Associate News
Demystifying the banking process – what your bank looks for in your firm
QualitySolicitors Keith Park implements Peppermint Portal
David Thorpe joins fast-growing technology innovator Peppermint Technology
DAS appoints head of marketing
Take client interaction to the next level with the Peppermint Platform
LexisNexis Visualfiles Helps Essex Legal Services deliver savings for the Public Law Partnership
Roadshow highlights potential perils of new COLP/COFA roles
