Legal Services Act
LSB chair calls on Law Society and SRA to stop “spats”
The chairman of the Legal Services Board has criticised the “continuing spats” between the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority. David Edmonds also praised the improvements made by the SRA to the process for licensing alternative business structures.
‘ABS to the shires’ targets membership worth £13bn
An alternative business structure with access to clients with assets of more than £13bn has been launched by the Country Gentlemen’s Association, whose members who are mainly landowners, farmers, and retired military personnel.
Riverview and DMH unveil fixed-fee M&A service
The strategic alliance between Riverview Law and DMH Stallard has borne its first fruit, with the pair promising to handle mergers and acquisitions of any size on a fixed fee.
LSB bids to stamp authority on post-LETR reform agenda
The Legal Services Board is to issue statute-backed guidelines to compel legal regulators to follow its vision of how reforms resulting from the Legal Education and Training Review should be implemented.
Slater & Gordon begins push for national brand recognition
Slater & Gordon yesterday launched its first UK television advertising campaign as it bids to become “a household name”. Costing more than £1m in the launch phase, the firm used M&C Saatchi to create a series of adverts, starting with one on personal injury.
BSB joins SRA in bid for structural independence
The Bar Standards Board has made a bid for formal independence from the barristers it oversees – the second frontline regulator to use the Ministry of Justice’s review of legal services regulation to make the case.
Strong results for the UK’s first ABS
The country’s first alternative business structure and largest conveyancing business revealed strong annual results yesterday. Premier Property Lawyers – which became an ABS on 6 October 2011 – is part of My Home Move, which also has a panel management operation.
Capita gears up for further expansion after Optima acquisition
Capita, the outsourcing giant that yesterday announced plans to buy a law firm, remains on the acquisition trail and is also looking for a top-20 law firm to partner with, Legal Futures can report.
Outsourcing giant enters market with Optima Legal acquisition
Outsourcing giant Capita plc has reached a conditional agreement to acquire Optima Legal Services pending the grant of an alternative business structure licence.
“Productive and innovative” ABSs beginning to make their mark, says LSB
New business structures are more productive and innovative than traditional law firms, Legal Services Board research has found. It also said that alternative business structures are “starting to have an impact” on some parts of the market and collectively have a 5% market share.
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Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
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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.
