Latest news
SRA reaches out over new regulatory regime
The SRA has launched what it describes as its biggest-ever consultation exercise as it seeks to engage the profession over the introduction of outcomes-focused regulation and alternative business structures.
Strong results for Co-op Legal Services
Profits at Co-operative Legal Services more than doubled last year, preliminary figures have shown. Sales from the legal arm grew 45%, to £20 million, with operating profits up £2.1 million to £3.8 million.
Conveyancers not diversifying despite growing competition
High street conveyancers are not comfortable about diversifying into other areas of practice, research has found. Some 60% were wary of moving into fields such as litigation and probate.
Consumer champion chairs new CLC board
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has unveiled consumer champion Anna Bradley as its new chairwoman. Ms Bradley currently chairs Ofcom’s independent consumer panel.
Report: globalisation set to step up
This decade will see the emergence of a new wave of global law firms, driven by the accelerated worldwide legal needs of the largest companies, new research has predicted. It suggest an increasing role for outsourcing as clients become more sophisticated.
ILEX considers legal version of Hippocratic Oath
The Institute of Legal Executives is considering whether to become the first legal body to require newly qualified members to take a ‘lawyer’s oath’ equivalent to the Hippocratic Oath doctors take on qualification.
Five firms join first SRA litigation panel
Five firms have been appointed by the SRA to its first ever litigation panel: Bevan Brittan, Capsticks, Devonshires, Field Fisher Waterhouse and Russell-Cooke.
Bad points are a “good reason” to terminate retainer, says Court of Appeal
A solicitor has good reason to terminate a retainer if a client insists on putting forward a case and instructing counsel to advance contentions that they do not consider properly arguable, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Training reform gathers pace with all-in-one study and work, and accelerated LPC
Changes to the structure of solicitors’ training are beginning to gain ground after two major announcements. Northumbria University Law School has joined forces with national law firm Irwin Mitchell to pilot the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s plans for work-based learning. Meanwhile, City giant Linklaters is to introduce an accelerated legal practice course, shortening the course from a year to just over seven months.
Kenny urges local authorities to seize ABSs
The chief executive of the Legal Services Board has urged local government lawyers to seize the opportunities presented by the prospective introduction of alternative business structures in mid-2011.
Blog
The cost of systemic failure and childbirth injuries
Recent reports show that the NHS has paid almost £3.5bn in medical claims around childbirth injuries over the past six years.
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.
