Latest news
ABSs to undergo scrutiny of Cabinet committee aiming to slash regulation
A new Cabinet committee is to review whether the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) and alternative business structures (ABSs) should be implemented, it emerged yesterday. The news comes as The Times speculated today that the new team at the Ministry of Justice might kick ABSs into the long grass, but investigations by Legal Futures indicate that there is no foundation for this.
Scottish government to regulate will-writers
The Scottish government has decided to push ahead with regulating non-lawyer will-writers, it has emerged. In a move that will intensify pressure on the Legal Services Board in England and Wales, the government plans to apply a set of regulatory rules, enforcement measures and sanctions to ensure non-lawyer will-writers conform to acceptable industry practice.
Consumers not that keen on Tesco Law, survey finds. Or M&S Law. Or solicitors’ fees
Consumers of legal services are not tempted by the prospect of household name brands moving into legal services, research has found. It also revealed that ‘expense’ or ‘expensive’ was the word most commonly associated with the word ‘solicitor’, while almost half of those interviewed felt the experience represented poor value for money.
Will-writers win OFT approval for code of practice
The Institute of Professional Willwriters today became only the tenth trade body to receive Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approval for its code of practice. This means that the OFT is satisfied that the code provides consumers with protection and offers a higher level of customer service.
Service with a smile?
Later this year, the Legal Ombudsman will take over the handling of complaints against all lawyers. But as chief ombudsman Adam Sampson explains to Legal Futures Editor Neil Rose, it is as much about helping lawyers as clients.
SRA publishes new regulatory regime for solicitors, including 46-page code of conduct
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has today laid out the detail of its proposed new approach to regulation, including first sight of an outcomes-based code of conduct that at 46 pages is around a sixth the size of the current code.
Have my instructions – and my number
This week’s Question of Ethics from the Solicitors Regulation Authority considers the position of a solicitor asked on a date by her client while handling his divorce.
Now Scottish solicitors vote to limit non-lawyers to minority stake in ABSs
Scottish solicitors have now voted to allow a minority of external ownership of law firms, it emerged today. In the latest twist of the ongoing saga of members of the Law Society of Scotland trying to find a compromise, two motions were narrowly passed at today’s AGM in favour of alternative business structures, but with inconsistent terms.
Law Society reassures firms over Quinn, while outlining fallout from insolvent insurers
The Law Society has issued further reassurance to the 2,911 law firms insured by Quinn that there is no reason to fear for the strength of their cover. It came on the same day as the society also issued a practice note on the position if a qualifying insurer goes insolvent.
LSB lays down complaints-handling standard
All lawyers will have to give clients clear information about how to complain, and their regulators will have to monitor that it is done, the Legal Services Board has announced.
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.
