Latest news
Top media firm and regional practice seeking external cash help take ABS total to over 100
A leading media law firm and a regional practice seeking minority external ownership to drive an acquisition strategy are among the latest alternative business structure approvals as the number of licences issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority tops 100.
BT Law to have more than 100 staff as it targets expansion
BT’s new legal arm will have more than 100 staff once it is at full strength, its head of legal practice has revealed. Miles Jobling also expressed strong confidence that it would prove an attractive service to those seeking volume services.
Spend, spend, spend – Bar Council criticises LSB budget and accuses it of “mission-creep”
The Bar Council has renewed its assault on the Legal Services Board by questioning its decision to spend thousands on academic research into the cab rank rule and intervening in the Prudential case – which it said was proof of “mission creep”.
BT Law goes live after global telecoms giant wins ABS licence
Global communications company BT has been awarded an alternative business structure license from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to launch BT Law Ltd. It will provide legal services to corporate customers, initially in the motor claims market, but with an eye to expanding into other areas.
LeO: blame Law Society and consumer groups for end of ‘free complaints’ system
The Law Society and consumer groups are to blame for the Legal Ombudsman dropping its ‘two free complaints a year’ offer, the chief ombudsman has explained. Meanwhile, allowing complaints from people who are not clients will not be an extra burden on the profession, he pledged.
300 law firms still don’t have compliance officers
More than two months since law firms were meant to have their compliance officers in place, around 300 firms still do not have them, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has revealed. This is a mix of firms that have not had their nominations approved and those that have still not nominated at all.
AIM-listed legal expenses insurer buys Manchester law firm
Legal expenses insurer and alternative business structure Abbey Protection plc has acquired Manchester commercial law firm Lewis Hymanson Small, completing a three-pronged strategy to expand its services to the SME market.
LSB calls for equal pay audits amid worries about gender and race disparities
All legal services providers should undertake and publish equal pay audits, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has suggested – this would ideally be voluntary, “but only if it results in the changes needed”. It came in an LSB review of the evidence on equal pay.
Slater & Gordon eyes further UK expansion after half-year results show income on target
Slater & Gordon is set to grow its UK business after it announced its first half-year results since the takeover of Russell Jones & Walker. The listed Australian firm – now an ABS in England and Wales – posted a 46.5% increase in its revenue for the last six months of 2012.
Ombudsman warns of mis-selling risk around family law services
Innovation in family law services is working for consumers but could in time lead to mis-selling and hidden costs as complex financing and legal services structures emerge, the Legal Ombudsman has warned.
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”.
