Latest news
SRA board backs moves to help MDPs, but charts cautious course on ditching accountants’ reports
The board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority today approved a series of measures to further its regulatory reform programme, including making it easier for multi-disciplinary practices to become alternative business structures.
SRA issues warning over inducements ban
The Solicitors Regulation Authority will not introduce specific rules to deal with the upcoming legislative ban on personal injury law firms paying inducements to claim, but has pledged to take “strong enforcement action” if firms breach it.
Consumer panel calls into question barristers’ £500,000 indemnity limit
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has called into question the existing minimum indemnity cover limit of £500,000 for barristers and called for more research before the limit was extended to firms regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
QS firm wins appeal over Polish paralegal “harassment”
A Walsall law firm has successfully appealed an employment tribunal ruling that a paralegal had been unlawfully harassed because she was Polish.
SRA set to end annual ‘keeping of the roll’ exercise
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to press ahead with plans to stop the annual exercise of checking whether non-practising solicitors want to stay on the roll, despite strong opposition from the Law Society.
Pitt cools talk of single regulator as he bids to build reform consensus
In his first interview since taking over as chairman of the Legal Services Board, Sir Michael Pitt has cooled talk of a single regulator for all legal services. Sir Michael also praised the Solicitors Regulation Authority for its current programme of reform.
Large firms finding they can’t “go it alone” in PI marketing
Leading marketing collective First4Lawyers said today that it has seen a clutch of larger personal injury (PI) firms return to its panel in recognition of the need for scale to compete effectively in the market.
BSB not expecting barrister rush to create entities
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is not expecting the introduction of entity regulation to lead to many barristers joining forces in a single business, it has emerged.
LCJ uses Nightjack case to warn lawyers who mislead court of “exemplary punishments”
Lawyers who mislead the court will end up with “exemplary and deterrent” punishments, the Lord Chief Justice has warned. Lord Thomas was speaking after Alastair Brett, former legal manager at Times Newspapers, had limited success in appealing an SDT ruling.
Fairpoint lauds "unique opportunity" presented by Legal Services Act
The Legal Services Act has presented “a unique opportunity to create more competitive consumer offerings”, according to the company that bought national law firm Simpson Millar earlier this year.
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.
