Latest news
LSB defends the use of “forceful facilitation” against “misguided” criticism of its work…
The Legal Services Board has hit back at the “misguided” criticism of its role, saying that experience has proven the need for its “forceful facilitation”. Its response to the Ministry of Justice’s triennial review comes after severe criticism from some of those it oversees.
… as Law Society calls on government to slash the LSB’s budget to stop it overstepping the mark
The Legal Services Board should have its budget slashed so as to rein in its ambitions to move beyond a supervisory role, the Law Society has claimed. However, the SRA, CILEx and Council for Licensed Conveyancers have been more measured in their criticism.
SRA to adopt City firms’ recommendation on dealing with conflicts of interest overseas
City law firms facing conflict issues overseas should apply the rules that apply in the relevant jurisdiction, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has suggested. Meanwhile, the SRA and the Law Society of Scotland have begun discussions on an intra-UK regulatory regime.
"Flawed" Bar disciplinary panels oversaw hundreds of cases
Around 550 disciplinary cases involving barristers could be affected by the failure to validly appoint some of the tribunal members who sat in judgment on them, we can reveal. Specialist regulatory lawyers are watching closely to see if cases can be reopened.
News round-up: would-be ABS expands, HSBC publishes panel criteria, and much more
Our regular round-up of news includes Quindell Portfolio’s latest acquisition, Simmons & Simmons moving City work to Bristol, the SRA’s City adviser joining Obelisk Legal, the Law Society withdrawing its PII broker list, and much more besides.
Licensed conveyancers refused right to conduct litigation and advocacy – for now
The Legal Services Board yesterday rejected a bid to allow licensed conveyancers to conduct litigation and advocacy, after more than a year of consideration. It had run into fierce opposition from the Lord Chief Justice and the Law Society.
Set the date to scrap the LSB, Bar regulator tells government
The “end is in sight” for the Legal Services Board (LSB) and it can be abolished in about three years’ time, the Bar’s regulator has told the government. The Bar Council stopped short of this, but said the LSB should be reined in.
Cost of legal services continues to rise – as does number of people going it alone without lawyers
The continued rise in the cost of legal services at a time when consumer wealth has fallen could be putting people off seeking legal advice, new research has suggested. The Legal Services Board report also found indications of falling quality.
TAG solicitor loses appeal against striking-off
A solicitor heavily involved with failed claims handler The Accident Group (TAG) has lost his appeal against a High Court decision to strike him off. Anthony Dennison had initially just been fined by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
City firm to place its LPC students with clients as part of innovative MA
Prospective trainee solicitors at Reed Smith are to conduct projects for the international firm’s clients as part of an innovative legal practice course that integrates legal and business learning and leads to a unique Masters qualification – the MA (LPC with Business).
Blog
A familiar story?
There is no doubt that the rising cost of clinical negligence claims deserves attention. However, the system’s true cost driver is often not the claim itself.
When AI becomes a line on the client’s bill
On 23 June, Legora changed how it charges. The platform announced that its most capable product was moving away from a flat per-seat licence fee to consumption-based pricing
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
