Latest news
Home buyers dissatisfied with conveyancers and moving process, survey finds
There is considerable unhappiness among home buyers and sellers with conveyancers and the speed of the moving process, new research has found. More than 40% of consumers were unsure or unlikely to offer them repeat business.
Court of Appeal: BSB official “blind to any sense of fairness” in disciplinary prosecution
The Court of Appeal has criticised in the strongest language the behaviour of an official at the Bar Standards Board responsible for “subverting the rules” on disclosure in a case that led to a barrister being disbarred.
National Accident Helpline sees revenue and enquiries rise sharply
AIM-listed National Accident Helpline plc (NAH) saw income rise by just over 10% in 2014 on the back of a significant increase in enquiries, it reported yesterday.
SRA resorts to outsourcing after 49% increase in tribunal referrals
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been forced to rely on outsourcing and recruit more staff after a 49% surge in referrals to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. It has also identified a series of emerging risks, including public sector cuts.
Big fall in firms heading for closure after failing to find indemnity insurance
A total of 49 firms are heading for closure after failing to secure indemnity insurance, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said. This compares with 138 which were forced to shut for the same reason last year.
Exclusive: in-house lawyers complain about firms failing to offer pricing options
Large corporate clients are demanding “far more” fixed fee and ‘menu’ pricing, but are having to push firms into providing it, a survey based on interviews with 40 in-house teams and 50 top 100 law firms has found.
Quindell deputy chairman resigns post at Financial Reporting Council
Jim Sutcliffe, appointed deputy chairman of alternative business structure Quindell earlier this month, has resigned from the board of the Financial Reporting Council.
Lawyers join forces with journalists and social workers to protest against government snooping
The Law Society and Bar Council have joined forces with the British Association of Social Workers and National Union of Journalists to form the ‘Professionals for Information Privacy Coalition’, and express their concern over the controls in place on how the government snoops on professionals.
Sikh solicitor wins religious discrimination claim over turban search
A Sikh solicitor refused entry to HMP Belmarsh because of pins in his turban has won his religious discrimination claim against the Ministry of Justice. Amrik Bilkhu was trying to visit a client who was on remand at the prison.
High Court enforcement officers and niche property firm become latest ABSs
A debt collection business has become an alternative business structure (ABS) and can now offer an end-to-end service that enables it to collect, litigate and enforce clients’ debt.
Blog
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
