Latest news
Age a barrier for breaking into the Bar, says research
People aged 30 or over who choose to re-train as barristers are at a significant disadvantage to younger applicants, according to research from King’s College London. It also confirmed a continuing bias in favour of those with an Oxbridge education, but not gender.
First ABS wannabes begin SRA application process
More than 10 prospective alternative business structures completed the first stage of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s application process on the first day, the authority has revealed. SRA figures show that it will spend a minimum of three days considering applications.
Lawyers embracing LinkedIn, says research as Law Society issues first social media guidance
Almost half of partners and staff at the typical top 50 law firm are now on LinkedIn, nearly double the number in 2010, new research has found. It comes as the Law Society publishes the first formal guidance to solicitors on the use of social media.
Djanogly hails benefits of ABSs to law firms and consumers as SRA opens doors to applications
Alternative business structures will make solicitors’ firms “more competitive, more accessible and more efficient”, justice minister Jonathan Djanogly claimed today as the Solicitors Regulation Authority opened its doors to the first ABS applications.
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.
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
