Latest news
Parliament gives green light to open up probate and conveyancing rights
The House of Lords yesterday gave the final go-ahead for chartered legal executives and others with appropriate expertise to offer probate and conveyancing services without the supervision of solicitors.
SRA’s “flexible” approach to MDPs backed by LSB
The Legal Services Board has backed a new “flexible” approach by the Solicitors Regulation Authority aimed at making it easier for multi-disciplinary partnerships to become licensed as alternative business structures.
Keystone Law takes private equity investment
Leading ‘dispersed’ law firm Keystone Law has taken £3.15m investment from boutique private equity firm Root Capital in return for a 35% stake in the business. It will in part be used to buy out founding partner Charles Stringer.
Government plugs hole in inducement ban by stopping solicitors using third parties
The government has secured an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill banning inducements for personal injury claims offered by unregulated third parties linked to law firms.
Legal Services Board names new chief executive
The director of regulation at water company Affinity Water has been named the new chief executive of the Legal Services Board (LSB). Richard Moriarty will join the LSB in early 2015 with a background spanning a number of regulated sectors across the economy.
Falconer condemns Grayling’s “heart-breaking” comments on role of Lord Chancellor
Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor, has condemned the “heart-breaking and disappointing” comments made about the role by its current incumbent, Chris Grayling.
ICAEW authorises first non-ABS firm to carry out probate work
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has authorised the first non-ABS accountancy firm to carry out probate work.
United Law becomes third Connect2Law hub to launch own brand
Trethowans, based in Southampton and Salisbury, has become the third regional firm and former hub in Pannone’s Connect2Law network to launch its own brand – United Law. It has 98 members in Dorset, Hampshire and part of Wiltshire.
Direct access service partners with litigation funder to offer barristers upfront fees
Direct access service myBarrister has joined forces with litigation funder Augusta Ventures to help clients finance their cases – and offer barristers the prospect of upfront payment of some of their fees.
Law Society made ‘one-off’ payment to Hudson
The Law Society made a one-off payment to its now retired chief executive Des Hudson under a ‘settlement agreement’ to offset a non-compete clause, it has emerged.
Blog
Reorientation in the AI era must begin with the client
Much of the discussion about AI in the legal industry focuses on technology: which tools to adopt and which tasks might get automated. But this misses the deeper story.
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.
