Latest news
Will-writing and estate administration to become reserved legal activities
Will-writing and estate administration should become reserved legal activities, the Legal Services Board has recommended. The long-awaited conclusions of its statutory investigation also highlighted the need to improve standards among regulated providers like solicitors.
SRA to tell insurers: disclose your credit rating to solicitors
Professional indemnity insurers will have to disclose their credit ratings to solicitors under plans to be approved by the SRA next month. However, it is to drop the requirement that insurers give policyholders a month’s notice of their intention not to renew cover.
LSB to investigate regulating all "general legal advice"
The Legal Services Board is to examine whether ‘general legal advice’ given to consumers should be regulated, it announced today, but has rejected the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s call for all solicitor-type services to be reserved.
Not-for-profit providers “should be able to charge” for legal advice
Law centres and other not-for-profit organisations should be allowed to charge for advice to help counter the impact of legal aid cuts and reduced local authority funding, the Legal Services Board said today.
COLP and COFA nomination process to begin next month – but you might not be approved in time
Law firms will be able to start nominating the compliance officers for legal practice and for finance and administration at the end of May – but the Solicitors Regulation Authority has admitted they may not all be approved by the start-date of 31 October.
Barristers and solicitor launch unique law firm dedicated to private prosecutions
Two barristers and solicitor have opened the first law firm dedicated to bringing private prosecutions. Edmonds Marshall McMahon is focused particularly on fraud, counterfeiting and corporate crime.
Law Society to “put its money where its mouth is” with COLP advice service
The Law Society is to pilot an initiative that will provide advice to compliance officers for legal practice (COLPs) and then stand by the COLP if it is then challenged by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Barristers blame solicitors for falling standards of criminal advocacy
Deteriorating standards of criminal advocacy are having an impact on the administration of justice – with solicitor-advocates to blame, a Bar Standards Board survey has claimed.
Exclusive: corporate financiers enter market to target mid-market law firms
A team of senior corporate financiers has joined forces with a law firm management consultancy specialising in alternative business structures to target mid-market law firms, Legal Futures can reveal.
Law firms warned of greater money laundering risk during Olympics
Law firms need to be alert to increased risks of being targeted by fraudsters and money launderers during the London Olympics, the Law Society has warned. Issues include fake passports, sham disputes and visits by foreign politically exposed persons.
Blog
Five golden links for a caring Christmas and New Year
This time of year always sharpens thoughts about how we look after and support elderly clients and those, elderly or otherwise, who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
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.
