Latest news
Legal Futures walks for justice
On Monday evening (20 May), the Legal Futures team will be joining thousands of lawyers and legal support staff from all areas, who are taking part in the London Legal Walk to show their support for the Legal Support Trust and access to justice. We are also one of the walk’s sponsors this year.
AXA calls for code of conduct for insurer/law firm ABSs
There needs to be greater control of alternative business structures (ABSs) set up by insurance companies to “ensure appropriate behaviour” and even a ban on ABSs operating in the small claims court, AXA Insurance has told MPs.
Hanging on the telephone? You must be calling the SRA
Just 17% of the 71,000 calls made to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s contact centre in the first quarter of 2013 were answered within the service level of 60 seconds, new figures have shown. There were also problems with the ethics helpline.
Government under fire for will-writing decision as few express faith in voluntary regulation
Criticism of the government’s decision not to regulate will-writing continued yesterday – although the two bodies representing the will-writing community appeared at odd over the prospects of self-regulation succeeding.
Revealed: government eyes deregulation of legal market
Further deregulation of the legal market is in the offing as a result of two initiatives at the Ministry of Justice, Legal Futures can reveal – and could yet lead to will-writing becoming regulated.
Legal Pioneers: Premier Property Lawyers – the very first ABS
As the UK’s first alternative business structure, Premier Property Lawyers has more claim than most to be a pioneer. As we restart our Legal Pioneers series profiling innovative legal services providers, Sam Chadderton talks to Kevin Smith
Government says ‘no’ to will-writing regulation
The government has today rejected the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) recommendation that will-writing become a reserved legal activity. There had been near-unanimous support from legal and consumer groups for the move.
Niche insurance law firm creates one-stop ABS for professional indemnity claims
A defendant insurance law firm is to join forces with commercial claims handlers and loss adjusters within an alternative business structure to provide an outsourced service to insurance companies for professional indemnity claims.
Turner fires volleys at government, QASA, BSB and Stobarts as lawyers face “oblivion”
The chairman of the Criminal Bar Association has launched a wide-ranging attack on the government, Stobart Barristers, Bar Standards Board and the “muzzled” judiciary, while warning that plea-only advocates could damage the unity of barristers and solicitors against price competitive tendering.
Law firm chiefs and creator of QS adverts join Legal Futures line-up
The managing partner of DMH Stallard – which yesterday unveiled a strategic alliance with Riverview Law – the senior partner of high-profile London firm Hodge Jones & Allen and the creative mind behind last year’s QualitySolicitors’ television advertising campaign have been added to the line-up for next month’s Legal Futures Conference, The LEX Factor.
Blog
Five golden links for a caring Christmas and New Year
This time of year always sharpens thoughts about how we look after and support elderly clients and those, elderly or otherwise, who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
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.
