Latest news
SME legal advice website returns to crowdfunding for investment
An online legal service aimed at small businesses yesterday launched its second round of ‘crowdfunding’ in less than a year, while awaiting an alternative business structure (ABS) licence with a view to obtaining further equity.
STEP volunteers will writing code of practice to fill regulatory vacuum
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners members will have to abide by a code of practice when they write wills, part of an attempt by the society to fill the regulatory vacuum.
City solicitors struck off after private prosecution win High Court appeal
Two City solicitors struck off following a rare private prosecution before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal have won a High Court battle that gives them a second chance to fight the allegations against them.
Time to reform the Law Society council? Senior figure thinks it might be
The chairman of the body responsible for the make-up of the Law Society’s ruling council will today start the ball rolling on possible governance reforms amid concern over ever-falling interest among solicitors in who represents them.
Government rejects Low Commission call to make use of client account interest
The government has poured cold water on the use of interest on solicitors’ client accounts to fill the social welfare advice and support gap as recommended last week by the Low Commission.
Legal365 chief says city centre law shops are set to become reality
The long-awaited opening of Legal365’s first city centre law shop will take place this year, one of its architects has told Legal Futures. Legal365 is a joint venture between Yorkshire law firm Last Cawthra Feather and entrepreneur Ajaz Ahmed, the founder of Freeserve.
Diversity deadline looms for thousands of firms
More than 6,000 law firms have yet to submit their workforce diversity data to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the regulator warned yesterday. They now have less than three weeks until the 31 January deadline for reporting the data collected from partners and staff.
Papers reveal Bar intransigence over BSB independence row
The Legal Services Board was on the verge of issuing an unprecedented public censure of the Bar Council over its interference with the independence of the Bar Standards Board, new papers have revealed.
SRA set to publish names of uninsured firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority should this week publish a list of those law firms which were to have closed on 29 December because they failed to secure professional indemnity insurance, Legal Futures has learned.
Public access exemption for foreign clients coming to an end
The freedom for barristers to accept direct instructions from lay foreign clients – or from lay clients in England and Wales for a foreign matter – without having to undertake public access training is rapidly coming to an end.
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.
