Legal Services Act
Lack of diversity should raise flag about firms, LSB tells regulators
Legal regulators should in future rate the risk that firms present to the public on the basis of the diversity of their workforce, and focus supervision on those with the worst records, according to a report.
Criminal firms will collapse, not consolidate, if legal aid cuts are too fast, government warned
If criminal legal aid solicitors were given more time to put their house in order before the government slashed fees, there would be a greater chance of consolidation in the market to mitigate the cuts, the Ministry of Justice has been told.
Circuits club together to back QASA judicial review
The circuits have come together with the Criminal Bar Association to indemnity the four barristers bringing a judicial review against the Legal Services Board over the legality of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates.
Grayling: legal market needs to be more diverse and innovative
The new chairman of the Legal Services Board (LSB) needs to help develop “a more diverse and innovative legal services market that attracts new providers”, justice secretary Chris Grayling has said. The search for a new chairman of the LSB began last week.
Firm broken up after failing to secure indemnity insurance
Harris Cartier – a 26-lawyer niche litigation and corporate practice with offices in London and Slough – has become the first firm to be placed into administration following the failure to arrange professional indemnity insurance for 1 October.
Comparison site aims exclusively at SME market
A comparison website claiming to be the first UK service dedicated to matching businesses to lawyers has been launched, and includes customer ratings at the end of every engagement.
Addleshaws lays out future vision: fewer lawyers, fewer firms, new business models
The legal market of 2020 will have 25% fewer lawyers and 20% fewer firms, with new business models and disruptive legal technologies sitting at the core of the provision of legal services, leading firm Addleshaw Goddard has predicted.
Government funding boosts ABS’s major growth plan
Alternative business structure NewLaw Solicitors is to grow by 25% after receiving finance from the Welsh government to help it expand. The firm is to recruit 86 people in its Cardiff headquarters.
QASA claimants granted costs cap – but at 10 times the level they wanted
The High Court has capped the costs exposure of the four barristers bringing a judicial review against the Legal Services Board over the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates – but at a level 10 times the one they had proposed.
Top insurer Markel enters legal market as Quindell unveils £150m Direct Line deal
Leading insurer Markel is to enter the legal market after today announcing a deal to buy the owner of alternative business structure Lewis Hymanson Small. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has given approval for the change of control.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
