Latest news
Criminal barristers ask BSB: Are you working for the government?
Criminal law barristers have urged the Bar Standards Board to come clean on whether pressure from the government was behind its decision to launch a consultation tightening the rules on returning instructions.
Law Society loses control of SRA chair and board appointments
Control over the appointment of the next chairman of the Solicitors Regulation Authority was taken away from the Law Society yesterday after the Legal Services Board introduced new rules governing the process.
Underdog no more – National Accident Helpline targets £100m AIM float
Leading claims management company National Accident Helpline Limited has announced its intention to float on AIM, in a move which it hopes will value the business at £100m. The IPO is expected next month.
Edmonds signs off with final attack on Law Society and Bar Council “trade unions”
The outgoing chairman of the Legal Services Board has fired a parting shot at the Law Society and Bar Council – which he described as “two very strong trade unions” – for their “hostile attitude to change” and acting out of self-interest, rather than in the public interest.
Riverview Law granted ABS licence
Pioneering legal business Riverview Law has been granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence, enabling it to own Riverview Solicitors. As of 1 June, Riverview Solicitors will merge into Riverview Law.
Quindell directors buy shares in display of confidence
Six directors of alternative business structure Quindell plc – including the chairman and vice-chairman – have invested in extra shares as a display of confidence in the company.
First4Lawyers launches ‘first CMC partnership’ with chambers
A leading claims management company (CMC) has launched what is believed to be the first ever CMC partnership with a set of chambers. First4Lawyers has struck an agreement with Exchange Chambers.
Quindell: we’re outperforming other personal injury ABSs
Quindell plc is outperforming its two closest alternative business structure comparators – Slater & Gordon and NewLaw Solicitors – the AIM-listed company has told the market. Quindell also insisted that its model complies with the referral fee ban.
Building society to tell firms: use a rated insurer or you’re off the panel
The Yorkshire Building Society group will insist that all law firms on its conveyancing panel have rated professional indemnity insurers from 1 October 2014, it has announced. The rule will apply at once for new applicants to the panel.
SRA pushes ahead with deregulation of training
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is pushing ahead with its plans to deregulate the training of solicitors, despite objections from their professional body. They include scrapping the prescribed form of the training contract.
Blog
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
Client accounts: Opportunity, obligation and the risks in between
The profitability gap between well-run firms and the rest is not primarily a function of size, location or practice area – it is a function of financial management.
Motor finance – the FCA is more worried about banks than consumers
The Financial Conduct Authority’s motor finance redress scheme announced last week amounts to one of the largest ever consumer failures by the regulator.
