Latest news
European Commission launches find-a-lawyer search engine – without England and Wales
The European Commission has launched today a new online find-a-lawyer search engine, enabling potential clients to find lawyers in 17 countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Scotland – but not England and Wales.
Duke Street puts further £13m into Parabis
Private equity company Duke Street Capital has invested a further £13m in Parabis Group in a show of long-term commitment to the top 50 firm. Duke Street was the first private equity investor in a solicitors’ firm.
Consumer panel: “remarkable innovation” in the market but is deregulation going too far?
The Legal Services Consumer Panel today expressed concerned that “the recent emphasis on deregulation… is being taken too far”, while also praising the innovation seen to date through alternative business structures.
BSB apologises for failing to review contractual terms and cab-rank rule
Vanessa Davies, director of the Bar Standards Board (BSB), has apologised “for any impression that may have been created that we do not take our regulatory obligations seriously” after the BSB failed to launch a review of the standard contractual terms and the cab rank rule.
Osborne’s tax changes take gloss off benefits of incorporating law firms
The tax benefits for law firms of incorporating have been reduced thanks to surprise changes announced by the Chancellor in this week’s Autumn Statement. Law firms have been incorporating in large numbers, with tax advantages in both the initial transition and the ongoing practice.
‘Public access’ barrister disbarred for lying about immigration application
A barrister has been disbarred for lying about submitting an immigration application on behalf of a client’s mother-in-law. It also emerged at a Bar disciplinary tribunal that Michael William Wainwright was not qualified to act as a public access barrister.
Big legal brands unveil new marketing campaigns
Forget the John Lewis Christmas advert – lawyers have stepped up efforts to target the over-50s and the victims of medical accidents in the latest high-profile marketing pushes by QualitySolicitors and First4Lawyers respectively.
IPS applies to raise fines limit for legal executives from £3,000 to £50m
ILEX Professional Standards (IPS) has applied to the Legal Services Board (LSB) to raise the maximum fines limit for chartered legal executives from the current £3,000 to a top level of £50m.
SRA rejects bid to give law firms open access to BARCO
A request by the Bar Council for law firms to be given automatic access to BARCO has been rejected by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, it has emerged.
Bar Council warns on potential “cost to quality” from CPD move
The Bar Council has warned of a potential “cost to quality”, following an announcement from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) that from next month it will only accredit CPD providers, and not individual courses.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
