Latest news
SRA dismisses questions over need for OFR
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has hit back over a report questioning why it introduced both entity and outcomes-focused regulation, saying it was acting in the interests of both consumers and lawyers.
SRA discovers more firms without insurance as 117 face closure next week
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has found a further 17 firms that have still not secured professional indemnity insurance, taking the current total facing closure next week to 117.
Two years into OFR and now LSB research asks: why did we need it?
The move by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to embrace entity-based and outcomes-focused regulation is hard to understand, major new research commissioned by the Legal Services Board and Law Society has claimed.
Criminal law barristers urged to embrace new business structures to survive
Criminal law barristers need to consider significant changes to their business models if they are to remain competitive, the Legal Services Board has argued. It said liberalisation is one of the reasons the government does not need to intervene in the criminal advocacy market.
Solicitors pass motion of no-confidence in Law Society president and chief executive
Solicitors today passed a motion of no-confidence in the president and chief executive of the Law Society over their handling of negotiations with the Lord Chancellor about changes to criminal legal aid. The society’s ruling council is now meeting in emergency session to debate its response.
Firm launches ABS spin-off after pledge of multi-million pound recovery work
An international law firm has launched a start-up alternative business structure to carry out recovery work after being promised cases with a debt value of £40m by existing corporate clients.
Law Society SGM: battle lines drawn as at least 600 solicitors head to Chancery Lane
An unprecedented wave of specialist criminal law solicitors is set to converge on Chancery Lane tomorrow, when the special general meeting to debate a motion of no confidence in the Law Society’s handling of government legal aid reforms is held.
Exclusive: US tech business bidding to re-engineer divorce process targets UK expansion
A US company looking to re-engineer the divorce process through an innovative technology platform and process has laid out its plans to come to the UK, Legal Futures can reveal. Wevorce recently raised $1.7m (£1m) in new funding.
MPs endorse Green as next chair of Office for Legal Complaints
Former policeman Steve Green today cleared the final hurdle to his appointment as the new chair of the Office for Legal Complaints – the body that oversees the Legal Ombudsman – after he was endorsed by MPs on the justice select committee.
HighStreetLawyer ditches consumer business to focus on building online collaboration
The “balloon has burst” on networks of law firms grouping together to share marketing, while the appetite among solicitors for collaboration with their peers is growing, the founder of a small firm legal network said this week.
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.
