Legal Services Act
Consumer confidence in lawyers falling, survey finds
Confidence in lawyers’ honesty and in their handling of complaints has fallen for the second year running, although people who have actually bought legal services remain happy with their own lawyer, a survey has found.
From virtual firm in the garden shed to £2m ABS with big ambitions
A former virtual law firm plans that has grown into a £2m business in four years has unveiled major expansion plans after being granted alternative business structure (ABS) status. “ABS is about thinking that there are no limits,” said its founder.
Accountants hit back after Law Society protests over ABS regulator bid
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has hit back against Law Society objections to its application to become an alternative business structure regulator, claiming the public interest was “built into accountants’ DNA”.
QualitySolicitors firm eyes one-stop shop for professional services after gaining ABS status
A QualitySolicitors law firm with ambitions to become a one-stop shop for a range of professional services is among new alternative business structures (ABSs) whose licenses become active next month.
Exclusive: first direct access website for barristers to bid for work goes live – and it’s free
A free online ‘community resource’ that enables direct access barristers to tender for clients’ work has been launched by the head of a London chambers. CallMyBarrister.com goes live today with a “unique tendering model” that its founder compared to that of a dating website.
Pioneering solicitor issues rallying call to small firms: you can compete with big brands
Many small firms are better placed than they realise to thrive in the legal market, according to the solicitor who created the largest law firm network in the country. Greg Shields also hit out at the “monetisation of fear”, with “people selling a message that’s built on the negativity of fear”.
BSB opens door to regulating businesses with no barrister owners
The Bar Standards Board is prepared to regulate entities that do not have any barrister owners, it decided last week. The shift comes shortly after the Solicitors Regulation Authority granted an alternative business structure licence to a chambers – the first without a solicitor owner.
Law firm bids to ‘consumerise’ advice to SMEs with legal and non-legal services
A northern commercial law firm aims to take on ‘big brand’ new entrants to the legal market with its own portal offering businesses legal and non-legal services. Butterworths Solicitors has launched fixed-price products through its Go! brand for SME clients.
Interpreters set up free law firm panel to help non-English speakers
An interpreter company is set to appoint a huge panel of hundreds of law firms for a new Community Legal Helpline. Yorkshire-based translation firm Applied eXperts Ltd said it is responding to a rise in legal queries from non-English speaking individuals.
Government: we will toughen up referral fee ban if ABSs are being used to get around it
The government has pledged to revisit the terms of the personal injury referral fee ban if it looks as though alternative business structures (ABSs) and other arrangements are being used to get around it.
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.
