Latest news
Law Society backs SRA “raid” on compensation fund but calls for alternatives to intervention
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to consider alternatives to intervening in failing law firms, the Law Society has said, while accepting the “emergency” need for the regulator to dip into the Compensation Fund to pay for the unexpectedly high cost of interventions this year.
Seldon loses for the last time as forced partnership retirement case ends
The case of the law firm partner required to retire at 65 has finally reached an end after an employment tribunal rejected the age discrimination claim brought by Leslie Seldon against Kent firm Clarkson Wright & Jakes.
Survey: shopping around works for legal consumers, but too few do it
The minority of consumers who shop around for legal services are likely to be more satisfied by the service they receive from their chosen provider, new research has found. The findings on how consumers choose lawyers are likely to give encouragement to high street lawyers.
LSB warns Bar regulator that it has big hurdles to jump to regulate ABSs
The Bar Standards Board will be unable to regulate alternative business structures effectively until it learns more about users of barristers’ services and undergoes “significant cultural change”, according to the Legal Services Board.
Wealth management company receives ABS green light
An alternative business structure (ABS) that aims to offer fixed-price legal services to the sports and media star clients of a wealth management group, is poised to open its doors. BlackStar Legal is associated with BlackStar Group.
Newest ABS urges small firms to consider succession planning benefits
Small firms should consider the benefits of alternative business structure (ABS) status as a way to handle succession planning, the senior partner of one of the latest licensees has said. “ABS means we can end our practising certificates and still own the firm,” he explained.
Cost of barrister regulation soars
The Bar Standards Board is already projecting a £161,000 overspend on its 2013-14 budget, which itself is £1.2m (or 30%) higher than the previous 12 months, Legal Futures can report. But it is also expecting QASA to boost income.
LawStore targets businesses with mix of legal and non-legal services
LawStore – the consumer-facing brand developed by regional law firm and alternative business structure MTA Solicitors – will next week launch into the business market, while further high street shops are also planned, Legal Futures can reveal.
BSB decision to stop former chief constable self-funding pupillage upheld
A barristers’ chambers which offered an unfunded pupillage to a former police chief constable has lost its appeal against a Bar Standards Board decision that the move ran foul of equality rules designed to stop ‘rich kids’ from self-funding.
Exclusive: law firms push out CMCs as referral fee ban reshapes PI search market
The abolition of referral fees is “dramatically reshaping” the online personal injury (PI) market, with legal brands pushing out claims management companies, according to major new research seen exclusively by Legal Futures.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
