Latest news
Who owns your departing fee-earner’s LinkedIn contacts? New guidance warns firms to plan ahead
Law firms’ social media policies need to extend to issues such as who owns contacts and content developed by staff members through the use of networks like LinkedIn, while they should also be cautious about searching the social media activity of potential recruits, new guidance has advised.
Barristers far happier than public with how BSB handles misconduct complaints, survey finds
Only a third of members of the public who complain to the Bar Standards Board about barristers’ professional conduct believe the process is open and fair, according to a user satisfaction survey.
SRA grants waivers to three ABSs and warns applicants over timetable for approval
Three of the seven ABSs so far approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority have been granted waivers as part of their applications, it has emerged. It also warned applicants who may have tight timescales for approval that it will not guarantee to meet them.
SRA mulls dropping requirement on solicitors to refer clients to IFAs
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to recommend dropping the controversial ban on practitioners referring clients to tied financial advisers. Solicitors would instead have to ensure that the client is involved in the decision-making process that goes into any referral.
Law Society to be spared annual internal governance check – because it is bound to fail
The Law Society will not be required to certify its compliance with the rules on internal governance because it is bound to fail the test, the Legal Services Board has decided. The board said the new governance arrangements are “somewhat fragile”.
“More for less”, liberalisation and technology: Susskind lays out vision of the future
The Legal Services Act will play a role in transforming the legal market around the world, with English lawyers well placed to take advantage as a result, Professor Richard Susskind predicted last week. He also gave a preview of his new book – Tomorrow’s lawyers: An introduction to your future.
Freeserve founder says it will take non-lawyers to bring innovation to “hated” legal market
Lawyers are “in denial about what customers hate about law firms” and it will take entrepreneurs from outside the profession to deliver the wholesale change to the business model that is required, the founder of Freeserve claimed last week.
BSB wins argument over case for entity regulation
The Bar Standards Board narrowly defeated a motion proposed by a former Bar chairman that its plans for entity regulation are unhelpful to the justice system, in a debate held in London last week.
Here come the accountants – ICAEW launches ABS regulator bid
Around 100 firms of accountants are expected to become alternative business structures, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said today as it unveiled its draft application to become a regulator of legal work.
Referral fee ban will not catch solicitors’ collective marketing schemes, Djanogly affirms
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly has affirmed the government’s belief that the ban on referral fees will not catch solicitors’ collective marketing schemes, despite continuing concerns that the legislation does exactly that.
Blog
Modern vehicles: new injury profiles and new legal challenges
As the number of electric vehicles on UK roads continues to grow year-on-year, it is important to address the risks that come with their increased adoption.
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.
