Latest news
SRA warns solicitors off SDLT evasion schemes
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a formal warning to lawyers to think twice before becoming involved in stamp duty land tax schemes. It will look “very closely” at the conduct of any firm actively involved in such schemes,
BT seeks ABS licence for claims management arm
The claims management arm of telecoms giant BT has applied to become an alternative business structure, it has emerged. But it is not looking to enter the consumer market.
Firms are their own worst enemies when potential clients call, says mystery shopping report
Law firms are “their own competitors” because the poor way many deal with telephone enquiries is pushing away nearly half of their potential clients, a mystery shopping exercise has concluded. Nearly half said they would actively encourage people not to use the firm they called.
Neuberger: cross-examination and disclosure next on reform agenda
An investigation into the benefits of cross-examination and disclosure could be next on the costs reform agenda, the Master of the Rolls has indicated. At the same time, an interim report into the national costs management pilot has found signs that it is producing benefits.
Exclusive: private equity firm behind UK's first ABS on the hunt for another investment
The private equity firm behind the UK’s first – and so far only – alternative business structure is beginning the hunt for another investment in the law, Legal Futures can reveal.
Cameron insurance summit: full steam ahead on Jackson and cutting PI fees
The outcome of yesterday’s high-profile Downing Street insurance summit appears to have put paid to any hopes among claimant lawyers that there is a compromise to be reached over the Jackson reforms.
Prospect of MDPs "catching the imagination" of large law firms, survey finds
Large law firms are showing increasing interest in forming multi-disciplinary practices with non-lawyer professionals, according to new research. The survey of 126 of the top 250 firms by accountants Smith & Williamson found that a third are interested in joining with a non-legal practice.
Quality scheme risks independence of advocates, leading judge warns
The proposed Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates threatens the independence of advocates, a senior judge claimed yesterday. Lord Justice Moses argued that quality of advocacy is best assured through compulsory training and more active reporting of poor advocates by judges.
News round-up: barrister jailed for chambers theft, another mySRA extension, and much more
Our latest news round-up reports on a barrister jailed after stealing £72,500 from his chambers, more problems with the SRA’s online PC renewal system, surveys on fixed fees and compliance, and the appeal court upholding a ruling against a firm innocently caught up in mortgage fraud.
Pass the parcel: should you indemnify your COLP?
Allison Wooddisse, head of LexisPSL Practice Compliance, looks at the whether and how law firms should indemnify COLPs against adverse consequences from taking on the role. Many COLPs are feeling jumpy but an indemnity is not as straightforward as it may appear.
Blog
Does the Lloyd review mark the end of the Legal Services Act?
The Legal Services Board often generates eye-rolls and irritation from the leaders of the frontline regulators it oversees and of the representative bodies attached to them.
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
