Latest news
Manchester firm ties up joint venture with insurer as law centres win ABS exemption extension
A Manchester law firm has launched a joint venture alternative business structure (ABS) with one of its major insurer clients. Meanwhile, the transitional exemption from ABS licensing currently afforded to not-for-profit organisations has been extended indefinitely.
Mayson publishes blueprint for reformed legal regulation framework
Leading market commentator Professor Stephen Mayson has indicated his support for a single legal services regulator as the best way to deliver a new regime in which all legal services are regulated to some degree, with only one regulator for each of a much-expanded list of reserved activities.
Revealed: LSB legal director opposed approval of QASA
The legal director of the Legal Services Board disagreed with its decision to approve the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates because he wanted to ensure that the impact on judicial independence had been fully considered, it has emerged.
Lenders hit out at SRA over compensation
The country’s mortgage lenders have hit out at the Solicitors Regulation Authority for not being transparent in the way it runs its compensation fund, leading to a perception that lenders are being made to carry the can for solicitors’ wrongdoing.
Solicitors join forces to purchase more legal practices, WIP books and cases
Neil Hudgell Solicitors, the law firm which two years ago launched the website ‘Webuyanyfiles’ targeted at personal injury firms looking to exit the market, has formed a joint venture with national practice Simpson Millar to expand the offering.
Consumers given option to turn to Your Legal Friend
Liverpool law firm Camps has launched a new consumer brand – Your Legal Friend – as part of its “multi-channel” response to the personal injury market. It said the launch follows research to ensure the brand reflects both what the company stands for and delivers what its customers most value.
Brilliant Law closes multi-million pound funding round
Brilliant Law, the alternative business structure that was set up with investment from BetFair founder Bert Black, has just received a further seven-figure cash injection. One of the new investors, lawyer turned investment banker Jag Mundi, has also joined as a non-executive director.
Barristers quit BSB prosecutors panel in QASA protest
A number of barristers have resigned from the Bar Standards Board’s prosecutor panel in protest at the imminent launch of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates. They include a group of seven barristers from 18 Red Lion Court.
Legal Ombudsman to work on allowing complaints from non-clients
The Legal Ombudsman is to begin work on what types of complaints it should accept from non-clients amid reports of lawyers harassing third parties over alleged debts, violating their privacy and doling out abusive treatment in court.
Scots lawyers decide they don’t want separate representation after all
Scottish conveyancers have voted against the introduction of separate representation for borrowers and lenders – having initially called for it. At an SGM of the Law Society of Scotland yesterday, 847 were against a rule change to the conflict of interest rules while 671 were in favour.
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.
