Latest news
Co-op calls on solicitors to ‘stop the clock’ on divorce work
More than four out of five of divorcees want family law services provided by fixed fees, according to research carried out by Co-operative Legal Services to launch a campaign against hourly rates in light of this week’s legal aid cuts.
Candid camera? Barristers now free to talk to the media about their cases
Barristers can now speak to the press about their cases, after the Bar’s Code of Conduct was changed. The end to the rule prohibiting barristers from expressing personal opinion publicly in relation to their work finally brings them in line with solicitor-advocates.
Fresh cab-rank rule row as LSB approves public access reforms
The Legal Services Board has criticised the Bar Standards Board’s failure to apply the cab-rank rule to public access work and said this omission will reduce the impact of rule changes that widen the scope for barristers dealing directly with clients.
Overcharged by a solicitor? Go to a barrister instead, says new direct access service
Barristers’ bid to persuade consumers to come direct to them for legal advice has stepped up with a new direct access service claiming that more than half of Britons think solicitors overcharge. Absolute Barrister claims to be able to halve the cost of some legal matters.
Council gives Law Society chiefs a bloody nose
The Law Society council yesterday gave the body’s management a bloody nose after rejecting its proposals to remove representation for groups representing black solicitors, sole practitioners and solicitors working in-house in commerce and industry, and local government.
AIM-listed ABS sees "opportunity for growth" in the financial problems of traditional law firms
The financial difficulties facing many law firms offers a real opportunity for growth, AIM-listed alternative business structure (ABS) Abbey Protection has claimed. It announced a 7% rise in turnover in 2012 to £38.7m and 3% increase in profits to £10.3m.
Criminal Bar gears up for industrial action over QASA
Criminal barristers are preparing to boycott the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA), but only if there is a pledge from counsel outside those circuits affected first not to step in and take the work.
Barristers fight back in defence of cab-rank rule
Barristers yesterday launched a two-pronged assault on a controversial academic report recommending that the cab rank rule be removed from the Bar Code of Conduct, with twin assessments by high-powered silks contradicting its findings.
iSolicitor launched to offer wide range of unbundled services to DIY clients
A sole practitioner has launched a business offering a range of unbundled legal services at fixed fees, including consultations via Skype for people who need help conducting their own cases. iSolictor UK offers a web ‘shop’ with a menu of fixed-fee services, run by a team of freelance lawyers.
Claims management companies win ABS status as SRA launches referral fee ban guidance
A company that provides both claims management services and legal expenses insurance has joined forces with a law firm in an alternative business structure that needed a waiver to allow a 27-year-old solicitor to be its head of legal practice. It was one of two newly licensed CMCs.
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”.
