Latest news
Self-proclaimed entrepreneurial lawyers spearheading change
Solicitors who consider themselves entreprenerial are proving much more active in changing the way they practise law, new research has suggested. However, only 22% of those polled said they believed the introduction of ABSs was a “positive”.
Majority of respondents to SRA consultation backed ban on unrated insurers
The SRA has acknowledged that the majority of responses received to its consultation on banning unrated indemnity insurers favoured a ban. Of 31 responses, 18 were in favour and 13 against.
Bar Council sets sights on solicitors’ advocacy ‘conflict of interest’
The Bar Council has called for strict new rules to check that criminal law solicitors are acting properly when they guide clients to in-house advocates as opposed to external counsel.
Stobart Barristers boss cleared of contempt allegations
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by Trevor Howarth, the founder of Stobart Barristers, and Stobart Group chief executive Andrew Tinkler against their committal for trial on contempt charges brought by a litigant in person.
High Court strikes out barrister’s claim for compensation from BSB
A pioneering barrister who overturned a disciplinary tribunal ruling that she had conducted litigation in breach of the Bar’s then code of conduct, has lost her claim for compensation against the Bar Standards Board.
Big corporations can look after themselves, says SRA as it unveils fresh approach to regulation
Consumers of legal services do not all need the same level of protection and some of them, such as big corporations, might not need “any protection at all”, the SRA has said in a policy statement on its approach to regulation.
Review pushes criminal lawyers towards common training and smaller Bar
A future where would-be criminal law barristers train together with solicitors and work at law firms before joining a “smaller, specialist Bar” later in their careers was sketched out yesterday in the government-commissioned review of criminal advocacy.
LeO: make conveyancers answer to HMRC for stamp duty failings
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has suggested that conveyancers, rather than clients, should answer to HMRC when stamp duty payments fail to arrive.
End of the annual accountant’s report is nigh
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has unveiled plans to remove the requirement that firms have their client accounts reviewed by an independent accountant and submit an annual accountant’s report.
SRA bids to slash minimum PII cover to £500,000
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has called for the minimum level of indemnity cover firms must obtain to be cut to £500,000. The existing limits are £2m for traditional partnerships, or £3m for incorporated practices.
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.
