Latest news
How to compete with LPO providers
The fallout from the financial crisis as well as growing threats from the legal process outsourcing industry is making it even more difficult for legal practices to juggle client expectations and fee income, says Peter Collins. Many are looking to manage their own resources more effectively.
Tebbit and Mackay join LASPO fight as ATE working group reports to Ministry of Justice
Former cabinet minister Lord Tebbit and one-time Lord Chancellor Lord Mackay have thrown their weight behind amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.
Co-op to ramp up staffing as it waits for ABS go-ahead
Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has begun staffing its family division after launching what it described as the largest recruitment drive in its history. CLS is looking to appoint up to 150 new positions. It currently has around 400 staff.
MPs seek action over PI lawyers’ fees but question value of referral fee ban
MPs have accused personal injury solicitors and insurers of losing sight “of the interests of their customers as a whole by encouraging claims to be maximised”. They called for action over the level of fees paid to lawyers while questioning the effectiveness of the referral fee ban.
SRA bids to scrap minimum salary for trainees
There is no regulatory justification for retaining the 30-year-old policy of minimum salaries for trainee solicitors, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said. It also admitted to concerns that the Legal Education and Training Review’s timetable is too tight.
LSB, Bar Council and big law firms sign up to Clegg’s ‘Business Compact’ on social mobility
The Legal Services Board, Bar Council and 10 top law firms have signed the government’s ‘Business Compact’ on social mobility to end the “who you know, not what you know” culture, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced.
Government kicks off review of LSB and Legal Ombudsman's roles
The government review of the “continuing need for the functions and the form” of the Legal Services Board and Office for Legal Complaints began yesterday with a call for evidence. It will take up to six months to complete.
RTA portal chairman cautious over PM’s plan to extend the scheme
The company that manages the road traffic accident claims portal has issued a cautious response to David Cameron’s announcement last week that he wants to extend the scheme, saying it is at the moment impossible to estimate how long the work would take.
BSB initiates review over huge rise in complaints against barristers by litigants in person
The Bar Standards Board is to conduct a review of the massive growth in complaints made against barristers by litigants in person – although it said this is likely to be caused by legal aid cuts.
Consumers don't need to use a lawyer to write their will, banks tell LSB
It is not necessary to use a legally qualified professional to prepare a will, the British Bankers Association has insisted. It said a bank’s in-house unit “produces just as satisfactory a service as a firm of solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority”.
Blog
Santa’s Costa Living Crisis
It’s almost 25 December, so it must be time for the annual Christmas blog from Nigel Wallis, consultant solicitor at O’Connors Legal Services.
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.
