Latest news
North-east “best location” for small conveyancing firms
Small firms in the north-east of England are most likely to do better in the residential conveyancing market than other regions as the dominance of the large firms re-established itself.
Warning for fee-share consultants in solicitor’s strike-off
A self-employed consultant has been struck off after asking a client to pay a £750 bill to him directly and keep it secret from the law firm he was attached to.
MPs launch inquiry into impact of whiplash reforms
MPs have today launched an inquiry into how the whiplash reforms are working, including the impact on the number of claims and whether they ensure access to justice.
High Court rejects client’s bid to escape £417k payment to City firm
The High Court has rejected the appeal of a former client of a leading City law firm against a decision that he has to pay its outstanding fees of £417,000.
Legal Services Board “needs to focus more on access to justice”
The Legal Services Board should put a priority on access to justice and the needs of people on low incomes rather than professional ethics in its next research programme,.
Six out of 10 lawyers “have experienced burn-out”
More than six out of 10 lawyers (62%) have experienced burn-out as a result of their work in the last year, a survey has found.
Solicitor hid 743 cheques worth £233,000 in filing cabinet
A veteran solicitor who signed but then kept 743 cheques worth £233,000 in a filing cabinet in his office, rather than using them to pay disbursements and other liabilities, has been struck off.
Employed barristers “undervalued” by wider profession
There is a “strong feeling” that employed barristers are undervalued by their self-employed colleagues, but the employed Bar scored higher for diversity, flexible working and wellbeing.
“Difficult to see” future for unbundled conveyancing
It is “difficult to see” unbundled conveyancing services working, even if there is consumer demand for them, the chief executive of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has said.
New chair a “dominating issue” for Legal Services Board
The arrival of a new chair of the Legal Services Board, taking up the post in April, is the “dominating issue” in its governance, a report by external consultants has found.
Blog
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
Client accounts: Opportunity, obligation and the risks in between
The profitability gap between well-run firms and the rest is not primarily a function of size, location or practice area – it is a function of financial management.
Motor finance – the FCA is more worried about banks than consumers
The Financial Conduct Authority’s motor finance redress scheme announced last week amounts to one of the largest ever consumer failures by the regulator.
