Legal Ombudsman
LeO struggles with case closures amid high staff turnover
The Legal Ombudsman is falling further behind in meeting case closure targets amid high staff turnover, it has emerged. It closed 6,206 cases in 2018-19, compared to a target of 8,000.
Give clients a cost benefit analysis of their cases, LeO says
Lawyers must provide their clients with a cost benefit analysis so they can understand the choices available to them, the Legal Ombudsman has said, also warning lawyers to be “crystal clear” over charges.
Developers pledge proper legal advice for leaseholders
More than 40 leading property developers and freeholders – but no lawyers as yet – have signed a government-backed pledge that highlights the duty of conveyancers to act in the best interests of clients.
Firm told to compensate transgender client for using birth name
A law firm that addressed a transgender woman by her birth name has been ordered to pay compensation by the Legal Ombudsman.
Some conveyancers “too close to developer clients”, MPs warn
Some conveyancing solicitors have become “too close to developers” and do not put their clients’ interests first, MPs claimed today. They suggested solicitors should part-fund compensation for mis-sold leases.
Law Society calls on LeO to focus on rulebook changes
The Law Society has called on the Legal Ombudsman to make “concrete, specific plans” on how it going to cope with the new SRA rulebook, which will allow solicitors to practise from unregulated firms.
Getting it right first time: LeO rolls out new complaints approach
A new operational model for handling complaints, piloted last year by the Legal Ombudsman, has boosted quality and efficiency, and helped it get “the work right first time”.
LeO to focus on improving quality – but delays remain
The Legal Ombudsman is to focus on improving the quality of its decision making as its caseload falls from 8,000 to a predicted 7,400 in 2019-20. But delays continue to dog the service.
Legal Ombudsman eyes publishing full complaints rulings
The Legal Ombudsman is to explore publishing its full decisions on complaints against lawyers, rather than just brief details as now, it has emerged.
Legal Ombudsman set finally to clear complaints backlog
The Legal Ombudsman will finally be able to look the profession in the eye again next year when it clears the backlog of complaints, its chair has said.
Blog
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
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
