Latest news
Government gives way over impact of Jackson reforms on mesothelioma victims
Mesothelioma claims are to remain outside of the Jackson reforms once they are implemented next April, pending a review of their impact on sufferers, the government announced yesterday in a surprise concession.
Four bodies to throw their hats into the ring to regulate will-writers
Four bodies have already put themselves forward to regulate will-writers following the Legal Services Board’s proposal that will-writing become a reserved legal activity, with all making their intentions clear at this week’s Legal Futures conference.
Riverview to change strategy and “grow by acquisition” in response to demand
Riverview Law, the combined law firm and barristers’ chambers that sells fixed-fee advice to businesses, is to shift its strategy of organic growth to one of acquisition to meet unexpected demand just two months after it launched.
ABSs will spark City “litigation revolution” and de facto fusion, says SRA chief
The UK is on the cusp of a “litigation revolution” involving boutique alternative business structures offering externally-funded contingency fee deals, according to the chairman of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, speaking at yesterday’s Legal Futures conference.
Peers reinstate three amendments as clock begins to tick on LASPO
The House of Lords yesterday reinstated three of its amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Bill to intensify the battle of wills with the Commons. The bill needs to be finalised by next Monday.
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.
Blog
How unstoppable AI is reshaping UK legal practice
At a time when most technology innovation still flows from the US and China, UK lawtech is attracting growing international attention and capital.
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.
