Latest news
High Court orders regulator to consider £2.3m compensation claims
The High Court has ordered the Council for Licensed Conveyancers to consider £2.3m claims for compensation after it overturned an internal decision that the CLC was unable to make any grants at all.
File reviews – are they really necessary?
Since the introduction of the SRA Handbook, firms have been asking whether they should introduce or improve a file review system. Corinne Staves, a senior associate at Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, considers the issues.
High level of consumer satisfaction with legal services providers, says research
Satisfaction with legal services providers is high, major new research has found, with those using solicitors likely to get a better result than those who sought advice from other providers. But fewer than half of those with legal needs sought professional help.
Ministry of Justice: no backtracking on April 2013 for RTA and small claims changes
The government has made clear its intention to push ahead with extending the RTA process and also increasing the personal injury small claims limit next April despite publication of the Fenn report yesterday.
Criminal law solicitors’ verdict on Law Society scheme: redundant and ignored by clients
The Law Society’s criminal litigation accreditation scheme is redundant, has no influence on clients and plans for reaccreditation are strongly opposed by the profession, the body representing criminal law solicitors has claimed.
BSB hits back at Today programme attack on barrister disciplinary system
The Bar Standards Board has hit back at criticism on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme of the way in which it conducts disciplinary proceedings against barristers, with claims of “secrecy, incompetence and maladministration”.
Goodbye lawyer, hello legal workflow and process analyst
Innovative legal businesses such as Riverview Law, Co-operative Legal Services and Parabis are demanding a new approach to educating and training new lawyers as they create different roles for them, such as project management and data analysis.
LSB "putting too much weight" on solicitors' poor score in will-writing mystery shopping
Concerns over the standard of will-writing by solicitors are based on limited evidence and the Solicitors Regulation Authority should not have to prove its ability to regulate such work, the Law Society has claimed.
Scottish solicitors eyeing MDPs rather than external investment as ABS scheme moves closer
Early interest in the Scottish form of alternative business structures is coming from solicitors looking to form partnerships with other professionals, rather than seeking external investment, the Law Society of Scotland has revealed.
In defence of big brands: ethics, back-up, customer focus and value, argues Co-op
Big brands providing legal services will face “risks and pressures” which are not present in smaller private practice law firms – but the measures in place to control them “are likely to be substantial”, a senior member of the Co-operative Legal Services team has claimed, explaining what new entrants to the law will bring.
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”.
