Latest news
Survey: not-for-profits eye charging for advice to survive LASPO
Nearly a fifth of not-for-profit legal advice centres are planning to charge for services as a strategy to survive cuts in legal aid, a study into the impact of the reforms has revealed. But the study found widespread fear of redundancy across the sector.
Law firm ABS aims to take on new entrants in their own backyards
A newly licensed alternative business structure is going on the offensive after completing a three-year restructuring plan. Tees Solicitors now plans to take on new entrants to the legal services market by moving into their sectors and attracting external investment.
Northern Circuit ballot shows near-unanimous support for QASA boycott
The prospect of industrial action over the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) moved a major step closer yesterday after barristers on the Northern Circuit overwhelmingly supported a boycott.
Leading PI firm cuts out claims intermediaries to “go it alone”
Antony Hodari has cut its ties with claims intermediaries and will now become self-sufficient in generating its caseload, becoming the first major personal injury law firm to announce its post-referral fee ban strategy.
Does NewLaw have second insurer ABS up its sleeve?
NewLaw Solicitors – which yesterday formally announced an alternative business structure (ABS) with insurance giant Ageas to handle policyholders’ personal injury claims – looks set to unveil a second partnership.
LSB hits back strongly at critics
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has hit back at its critics, accusing frontline legal regulators of being “uncomfortable” with the language of competition and failing to examine the impact of regulation on the market.
£500m RAC contract the first of many, says Quindell
Alternative business structure Quindell Portfolio plc has started to announce the major contract wins its end-to-end personal injury service has delivered, with a deal with RAC worth potentially £500m a year first to become public.
Top insurer launches ABS with personal injury law firm
One of the country’s largest insurance companies yesterday received its alternative business structure licence and has struck a deal with a Cardiff personal injury firm to provide legal services to customers making non-fault claims.
Legal Futures goes from strength to strength
Sahar Hashemi, the solicitor-turned-entrepreneur who founded Coffee Republic, heads the line-up for the next Legal Futures Conference, The LEX Factor. Our latest event comes as we celebrate being shortlisted for the Halsbury Legal Journalism Award and launching our first LinkedIn group.
LSB tells SRA: liberalisation of local authority solicitors charging for work does not go far enough
The Legal Services Board has criticised the Solicitors Regulation Authority for restricting liberalisation of the rule that previously prevented local authorities from charging charities and voluntary organisations for legal services.
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”.
