The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
Solicitors
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.
SRA calls on government to provide more clarity over referral fee ban
The government needs to provide further clarity and guidance on how the ban on referral fees will operate in practice, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned. Issues such as the definition of a referral fee need to be resolved.
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.
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.
Jackson: should contingency fee lawyers be liable for defendant’s costs?
Work is needed to determine whether solicitors who offer contingency fees could find themselves on the hook for a successful defendant’s costs, Lord Justice Jackson said last week. He said a working party might be needed to resolve outstanding issues.
Law Society and SRA join forces to fight £50m indemnity insurance case
The Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority have been granted leave to intervene in a High Court case on whether professional indemnity insurers should be able to effectively cap cover by aggregating claims against a firm – with a bill of £50m at stake.
News in brief: “intimidating letters” solicitor suspended, solicitors warned over PPI, and more
Our latest news round-up reports on the SDT’s sanction on Andrew Crossley for letters sent to alleged file-sharers, the question of forcing out older partners reaching the Supeme Court, the SRA warning solicitors who take on PPI cases, and the latest on practising certificate renewals.
Need to get COLP and COFA’s consent to take on roles will be “powerful tool”
The requirement for compliance officers in law firms to consent to their appointment will be a “powerful tool” to ensure they are listened to, it was predicted last week. Firms were also told that they are likely to need a “compliance plan” as evidence of their approach to outcomes-focused regulation.
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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
