Latest news

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched an investigation into public statements made by Quindell about its accounts during 2013 and 2014, it was announced this morning. Separately Quindell has requested a temporary suspension of its shares, while also starting a review of “a number of the company’s historic transactions and acquisitions”.

An alternative business structure (ABS) set up by well-known legal expenses insurer ULR Additions has been closed down as part of a shift in business strategy by its new owners. Our round-up of ABS news also reports on expansion at Knights, a strategic move by Ascent and new partnership for Co-op Legal Services.

A Bolton law firm has won an unusual judicial review against the decision of a Recorder who had accused it in his ruling of being party to a ‘crash for cash’ fraud, without giving the solicitors the chance to rebut the allegation.

The most successful members of the legal profession need to do more to help protect access to justice for all, the Lord Chancellor Michael Gove said today, warning that the status quo is not “defensible”. A one nation approach to justice cannot be blind to the fact that “while resources are rationed at one end of our justice system rewards are growing at the other end”.

A team of legal executives who were once a debt recovery arm of Eversheds, has launched an alternative business structure to bring litigation in-house under the supervision of its FILEx head of legal practice.

A commercial barrister who was fined by a Bar disciplinary tribunal earlier this month for handling £5,000 of client money, faces suspension after a second tribunal found that he later handled a further £400,000 from another direct access client.

In his first major policy speech as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Michael Gove will on Tuesday call for “urgent” reform of the criminal justice system as advocated by Lord Justice Leveson so that it does not just serve the wealthy.

The Bar Council has joined forces with the two Preston-based barristers behind the Direct Access Portal to relaunch it as the “go-to website” for consumers looking for a barrister. The portal will replace the Bar Council’s existing direct access register.

The Law Society recorded a £33m surplus last year, its annual report has shown, while former chief executive Des Hudson received a pay packet of £407,000 in his final year. However, the society has proposed retaining the practising certificate fee at £320.

Consumers are being misled by dubious practices in online reviews and endorsements, while more than half of buyers of services are swayed by them, according to an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.