associate news

A recent report by the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) found that by far the largest volume of complaints it received concern legal costs. Despite the requirements to advise clients of costs at the outset and to keep them informed of their costs liability throughout their matter, many solicitors are failing to do this – or at least to do it adequately and/or in a way that can be understood by the lay client.

In the UK market ARAG is known for providing a high standard of service to both the intermediaries and their customers. With this reputation backed up by the accolade of “best legal expenses insurance provider” (Insurance 360 report), we are determined to remain ahead of the game. It is with this in mind that we created our comprehensive broker training packs.

As the security of confidential information moves to the fore and compliance with regulation becomes more complex, it’s important for the profession to know that it is doing all it can to comply. Oyez is currently conducting a comprehensive survey, the first of its kind, to attempt to gain an understanding of how law firms are protecting the information they handle and how they are adapting to the new SRA Code of Conduct and forthcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation.

Research by property search firm SearchFlow shows underinvestment in defences and climate change means the annual cost of flooding in England and Wales has reached £1bn.

Eclipse Legal Systems – the UK’s largest independently owned legal IT provider – is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2012. The company was founded on 17 May 1987 by Steve Ough (now chief software architect) and has gone on to become the market’s leading case management software vendor. Its Proclaim solution is in use by over 16,000 individuals at 650 organisations.

Legal technology innovator Peppermint Technology is delighted to announce a partnership agreement with technology implementation expert Saturn27. Saturn27 has joined the Peppermint Academy Programme, Peppermint’s community of trusted delivery partners.

Thanks to a donation from Solicitors Own Software (SOS) and AED Locator, the first public access defibrillator (PAD) has been installed in the city of Bath at the Recreation Ground for the use of the rugby club, supporters, surrounding community and nearby residents. SOS donated the life-saving equipment in memory of Stephen Parry, a company director who died of a heart attack at just 52 years of age.

First Title Insurance plc has launched a new policy to protect homebuyers from potential exposure to new risks from the concealment of breaches of planning by sellers. The initiative comes in the wake of the Localism Act 2011, which was brought into force on 6 April this year, and created new powers for enforcement of breaches of planning control.

Peppermint Technology delivers continuous, not point-in-time, COFA and COLP risk management and reporting tools as part of the Peppermint platform. The platform provides compliance officers with the tools they need to support the new outcome-focused regulations. Unlike other standalone or bolt-on risk solutions the Peppermint platform manages risk directly from a central business platform therefore intelligently identifying and managing risks as the business changes.

The UK’s leading software company VTUK has announced that online ordering platform ETSOS is to be integrated into a one-stop solution software package for estate agents, Aquarius.