Compliance & Regulation
SRA uncovers significant shortcomings among volume claims firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has uncovered a significant amount of poor practice in the way law firms are managing high-volume consumer claims.
LSB “must force” Legal Ombudsman to publish decisions in full
The Legal Services Board must take “a more proactive stance” in making the Legal Ombudsman publish complaint outcomes in full, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has argued.
BSB eyes targets to improve diversity of senior staff
Nearly half of staff at the Bar Standards Board are now from ethnic minority backgrounds but it is looking at targets to improve the diversity of its management.
Formal warning for judge who had sex in chambers
A recorder who had sex in his judicial chambers over 15 years ago has been given a formal warning for misconduct.
Ban for Co-op estate planner over LPA dishonesty
An estate planning consultant at Co-operative Legal Services who falsely confirmed that he had witnessed the signatures on a lasting power of attorney has been banned.
PE in the law expands to Sweden as six firms join new group
Private equity in the law expanded to Sweden yesterday with the launch of AGRD Partners, a new group formed by six firms and backed by a Nordic investment house.
SRA shuts down nine-partner firm over solicitor’s suspected dishonesty
The Solicitors Regulation Authority yesterday shut down two law firms – including a nine-partner practice in Yorkshire – due to the suspected dishonesty of a solicitor.
Law firm owner rebuked for work of non-solicitor caseworker
A law firm owner has been rebuked after the Upper Tribunal declared an application for judicial review made by an immigration caseworker at his firm as totally without merit.
Solicitor who employed banned will writer is suspended
A solicitor who employed a will writer banned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority from working for law firms without its permission has been suspended for a month.
SRA rebukes Scottish firm over management of client money
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a rebuke to a Scottish law firm for breaches of the accounts rules since taking over the work of collapsed McClure Solicitors.
Blog
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
Expectations keep rising, so prioritise client experience
Law firms are facing growing pressure to place greater focus on client experience or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive legal market.
