Latest news
SRA survey: quarter of lawyers were privately educated
The inaugural diversity survey of people working in solicitors’ firms has found that more than a quarter of lawyers went to fee-paying schools – nearly four times the national average. Meanwhile, a review of law firms’ approach to diversity has found clients pushing the agenda.
‘Click and collect’ law firm eyes major expansion after ABS licence award
A law firm offering ‘click and collect’ legal services plans to double in size after securing its alternative business structure licence. Leeds firm Winston Solicitors originated as an online-only legal practice from managing partner Jonathan Winston’s spare room 10 years ago.
SRA set to relax rules on non-material breaches as nearly 1,000 firms face COLP/COFA action
Requiring all 10,000 law firms to report non-material breaches to the Solicitors Regulation Authority is “unsustainable and cannot be justified”, the regulator’s board will be told today. Meanwhile, the number of firms and individuals facing action over COLP/COFA nomination failures has risen to 928.
Dynamo Legal launches collective marketing brand with eye on £7m marketing warchest
A new collective marketing brand called Dynamo Legal has today announced plans to recruit 245 law firms across England and Wales and build a £7m advertising warchest. It is the brainchild of Welsh businessman Alexander Mills, who previously founded a company selling slate signs.
Co-op goes face-to-face with nationwide family legal aid service
Co-operative Legal Services has today made its major move into family law services by unveiling a telephone advice service for those people still able to claim legal aid help and a network of 78 face-to-face locations across England and Wales.
Mortimer takes helm at legal expenses insurer's ABS
Kathryn Mortimer, head of legal services for the DAS UK Group, has been named managing director of its new law firm, DAS Law. DAS Law was created after the legal expenses insurer was granted an alternative business structure licence.
Law Society report: partnership dream fading, particularly for women
The dream of partnership is becoming ever harder to fulfil, especially for female solicitors, according to Law Society figures. Whereas in 1992 52% of solicitors in private practice were partners, that figure slumped to 42% in 2002 and less than 35% in 2012.
SRA plans for ABS fining guidance branded “premature”
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) plans to issue guidance on the financial penalties it will impose on alternative business structures (ABSs) and those working in them are premature, the Law Society has claimed.
SRA fires warning shots over referral fee ban and “reckless trading”
Law firms will be held responsible for breaching the personal injury referral fee ban if they sign up to ventures that appear to be genuine joint marketing schemes but prove illegal, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned. It will also target senior individuals within firms that “recklessly trade into insolvency”.
Regulator will be “under close scrutiny” with growth of insurer ABSs
There will be close scrutiny on the Solicitors Regulation Authority to ensure that alternative business structures (ABSs) tying insurers and solicitors together prioritise their duties to injured people, the regulator was warned yesterday.
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”.
