Latest news
Criminal legal aid lawyers mull action as they vent fury over cuts
A high-powered meeting of lawyers opposed to impending criminal legal aid cuts ended on Tuesday night without agreement on a date for action, despite strong support in the hall for a vote on it. There is also a bid to call an SGM of the Law Society for a vote of no-confidence in its leadership.
Exclusive: the alternative to solicitors that’s become an alternative business structure
An eviction business that was originally set up as an alternative to solicitors has now become an alternative business structure (ABS) regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to help it stand out against unregulated competition.
Contracts site hopes overseas expansion will take it to premier league
A website that connects individuals and small businesses with a panel of solicitors who review contracts for a fixed fee, has set up in the US and Canada and plans to expand into the rest of Europe.
Solicitors and consumers split over widening ombudsman’s remit to unregulated providers
Solicitors and consumer representatives have come out on opposite sides of the Legal Ombudsman’s proposal to extend its remit to the estimated 130,000 unregulated legal services providers operating in England and Wales.
Barrister turned doctors’ regulator named as next SRA chief executive
Barrister Paul Philip has been appointed as the next chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Mr Philip is presently deputy chief executive and chief operating officer of the General Medical Council, and will join the SRA on 1 February 2014.
From beds to bumps – top businessman takes stake in personal injury firm
A personal injury practice with offices in the north-west and midlands has become an alternative business structure (ABS) so that a top businessman can take a stake in the firm.
Law firm spin-off becomes ABS
A law firm spin-off which helps insolvency practitioners to process financial mis-selling claims against financial institutions, has been granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence.
PayPal founder invests in internet start-up aimed at helping lawyers and clients collaborate
The co-founder of PayPal has invested in a start-up that aims to help clients find lawyers and then collaborate with them through an online platform – and is targeting the UK in the next few months – Legal Futures can reveal.
Number of smaller law firms on financial precipice soars
The number of small and medium-sized law firms in financial distress has soared to nearly a quarter of the profession, while one in eight has gone out of business in the last year, according to new figures.
Revealed: LSB ditches investigation into regulating 'general legal advice'
The Legal Services Board has ditched its investigation into whether giving ‘general legal advice’ should become a reserved legal activity – but hinted it may look to remove probate from the existing list.
Blog
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
Charting a new course for publicly funded legal services
The current Legal Aid Agency model is inherently flawed and it goes beyond mere data breaches – it cannot innovatively respond to increasing challenges.
Preparing people for the pace of technological change
While technology often dominates the conversation, I believe the most important challenge facing law firms is not adopting new tools – it is preparing people to adapt alongside them.
