Latest news
Law Society urges SRA to hold the line on independent financial advice
A Solicitors Regulation Authority proposal to scrap the ban on solicitors referring clients to tied financial advisers presents a “disproportionate risk” to both lawyers and clients, the Law Society has argued.
Why external investors are eyeing up the criminal Bar
Unlikely as it may seem, external investors are showing an interest in the criminal Bar. The reason, explains John Binks, is the way Legal Services Commission payments are structured and the £70m of work-in-progress that barristers are now sitting on.
The BSB’s response to failing to meet new complaints-handling KPIs? Change the KPIs
The Bar Standards Board has suggested changing the benchmark for measuring how its complaints investigators are performing – after it failed badly to meet its own key performance indicators.
Parabis chief calls on SRA to keep pace with ABS ambitions and not stymie innovation
The operational end of the Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to keep pace with those at the top of the organisation who “embrace and encourage legal business innovation”, and not stymie the type of development the Legal Services Act is supposed to promote, the head of one of the major ABSs has said.
LSB’s “open debate” on cost of regulation throws spotlight on practising fee split
The possibility of the Law Society and other representative bodies being cut off from any of the money raised by practising fees has been raised by a Legal Services Board call for an “open debate on the cost of regulation”.
Top PI practice becomes latest ABS
A leading personal injury practice has become the latest law firm to obtain an alternative business structure licence as part of its preparations for the impact of the Jackson reforms. Co-founder David Bott is the immediate past president of APIL.
Co-op blanks QualitySolicitors criticism but claims its presence will benefit all lawyers
Co-operative Legal Services has refused to be drawn into a spat with QualitySolicitors over whether so-called ‘supermarket law’ offers an inferior service compared to high street solicitors, instead underlining its appeal to people who normally shun lawyers.
News in brief: SRA launches Hillsborough probe, two more ABSs, PC renewal timetable and more
Our latest round-up of news you need to know includes the SRA launching an investigation into the conduct of solicitors after the Hillsborough disaster, the latest ABS licences, PC renewal details, and a bid to ensure high standards of complaints handling among conveyancers.
Back-to-work lawyers "enable firms and GCs to outsource onshore"
Mahy: something that somebody should have thought of before
Using ex-City lawyer parents looking to return to practice is a way for in-house lawyers and law firms to onshore services that many people are saying should be offshored, a former FTSE 100 general counsel said this week.
QS unveils exclusive LegalZoom deal ahead of 'anti-supermarket law' advertising campaign
QualitySolicitors has today unveiled an exclusive partnership with online legal services provider LegalZoom – the most recognised legal brand in the US – ahead of an advertising campaign that will by openly hostile to supermarkets, banks and others offering legal services.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
