Latest news
News in brief: £1m anti-Jackson ad campaign, Law Society enters The Cube, and more
Our round-up of other significant news stories includes a law firm using its new PI advertising campaign to highlight its opposition to the Jackson reforms, and the Law Society/SRA moving into swish new Birmingham offices.
IPReg set for ABS licensing authority application
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) is set to apply to become an alternative business structure licensing authority, it has emerged. A scoping document published last week lays out the process required to be designated in October 2013.
Barristers falling foul of "ridiculous" CPD system are impeding BSB focus on serious misconduct
The Bar Standards Board is operating an “antiquated and wholly inadequate” paper-based continuing professional development system that is diverting resources away from serious misconduct matters, its board was told last week.
LSB puts Law Society on report after SRA complains about independence threat
The Legal Services Board has activated statutory powers that require the Law Society to provide monthly reports on whether it is complying with rules that are meant to ensure the independence of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
5% Solution Group set to meet Lodder over demand to cut Bar Council costs
The 5% Solution Group – a barrister lobby looking to reduce the level of practising certificate fee – is to hold off calling an extraordinary general meeting of the Bar Council pending a meeting with Bar chairman Peter Lodder QC.
Clegg: legal profession is not doing enough on social mobility
The legal profession “is not doing enough” to make itself more representative of society, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg claimed yesterday. While “intergenerational social mobility is the principal objective of the Coalition’s social policy”, government cannot do this alone, he said.
Legal Services Board in first group of quangos subject to new government review process
The Legal Services Board is in the first tranche of quangos subject to a new triennial review process, Cabinet Office minister Frances Maude announced last week. It will review whether the board’s functions are required and other tests of continuing relevance.
Ombudsman tells "phoenix" firms: you can run, but you cannot hide
The Legal Ombudsman has warned “phoenix” law firms that seek to avoid the consequences of their actions by closing down and reopening – and even changing regulators – that it can still pursue them for past complaints.
Bar aptitude test could be a "one-time-only opportunity" for students to prove themselves
Students taking an aptitude test designed to weed out those likely to fail the Bar training course could be given a once-only opportunity to pass, it has emerged, after members of the Bar Standards Board raised questions about the policy of allowing unlimited attempts.
Cost discouraging SMEs from going to court but many don’t know about CFAs, survey finds
Worries about the cost of going to court are preventing small and medium-sized businesses from enforcing their legal rights, yet many remain unaware that commercial disputes can be funded through conditional fee agreements, new research has shown.
Blog
Mazur: when regulators make simple things complicated
What the last six months have shown is that supervision cannot be treated as a background compliance obligation quietly managed somewhere in a firm’s operational processes.
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.
