Latest news
Legal Futures interview lands Bar Council chief in hot water with LSB
Comments made by the new Bar Council chairman in an interview with Legal Futures have led the Legal Services Board to doubt whether the Bar Council truly accepted the recent findings that it improperly influenced its regulatory arm.
Solicitor struck off for practising while suspended
A Birmingham solicitor has been struck off for practising while suspended, including appearing in court. Peter Chahal was removed from the roll of solicitors by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last week.
ABS licence will give PwC Legal “rocket fuel”, says UK chief
PwC Legal’s alternative business structure (ABS) licence will give its expansion plans “rocket fuel”, its UK senior partner has claimed. Speaking to Legal Futures, senior partner Shirley Brookes agreed with those describing the move as a ‘game changer’.
M&A on the up among mid-sized firms, says survey, as Manchester firm faces administration
More mergers and acquisitions among mid-sized law firms are starting to happen, new research has indicated, on the day that well-known Manchester firm Linder Myers filed its intention to appoint administrators ahead of a possible sale or merger.
High Court quashes “irrational” LeO decision against barrister but upholds record SDT fine
A High Court judge has overturned a Legal Ombudsman decision that a barrister had not earned his fee, but separately upheld a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal decision to hand out a record fine.
Innovation in private legal sector leads way for access to justice, says report
Harnessing the communications power of the digital revolution can go a long way towards filling the access to justice gap created by cuts in legal aid, according to a major report.
Kenny: reviving self-regulation would see a return to the bad old days
Resurrecting self-regulation of lawyers – as the Law Society and Bar Council are urging the government to do – would be “an obstacle to progress” for legal services providers and consumers alike, the Legal Services Board has warned.
SRA plans radical liberalisation of CPD requirements
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is looking at whether to abolish all of the prescriptive requirements around continuing professional development (CPD) and leave it to solicitors and their firms to decide how best to ensure their continuing competence.
Parabis hires Jabbari to create regional firm network in support of consumer law ABSs
Alternative business structure Parabis Group is to create a branded franchise network of regional law firms to support its consumer law offering, after hiring former Connect2Law chief David Jabbari, Legal Futures can reveal.
SRA: hundreds of companies, public authorities and law centres mulling ABS conversion
The impact of alternative business structures (ABSs) on organisations with in-house lawyers is likely to be felt most in the third sector, major new research has found – but hundreds of private companies and public authorities are looking at conversion too.
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.
