Legal Services Act
BT Law goes live after global telecoms giant wins ABS licence
Global communications company BT has been awarded an alternative business structure license from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to launch BT Law Ltd. It will provide legal services to corporate customers, initially in the motor claims market, but with an eye to expanding into other areas.
LeO: blame Law Society and consumer groups for end of ‘free complaints’ system
The Law Society and consumer groups are to blame for the Legal Ombudsman dropping its ‘two free complaints a year’ offer, the chief ombudsman has explained. Meanwhile, allowing complaints from people who are not clients will not be an extra burden on the profession, he pledged.
AIM-listed legal expenses insurer buys Manchester law firm
Legal expenses insurer and alternative business structure Abbey Protection plc has acquired Manchester commercial law firm Lewis Hymanson Small, completing a three-pronged strategy to expand its services to the SME market.
LSB calls for equal pay audits amid worries about gender and race disparities
All legal services providers should undertake and publish equal pay audits, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has suggested – this would ideally be voluntary, “but only if it results in the changes needed”. It came in an LSB review of the evidence on equal pay.
Slater & Gordon eyes further UK expansion after half-year results show income on target
Slater & Gordon is set to grow its UK business after it announced its first half-year results since the takeover of Russell Jones & Walker. The listed Australian firm – now an ABS in England and Wales – posted a 46.5% increase in its revenue for the last six months of 2012.
Ombudsman warns of mis-selling risk around family law services
Innovation in family law services is working for consumers but could in time lead to mis-selling and hidden costs as complex financing and legal services structures emerge, the Legal Ombudsman has warned.
LSB: much to do to make SRA’s performance satisfactory
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has “substantial work” to do before it can consider its performance satisfactory, including making its rules less prescriptive, the Legal Services Board said today.
LSB chief questions need for training contract and pupillage, and pushes for faster ABS process
A training regime whose only specification is what a newly-qualified lawyer should be able to offer on day one is the kind of deregulation the Legal Education and Training Review should be considering, according to the chief executive of the Legal Services Board.
Liverpool firm “open to external capital” as it gains ABS licence
A Liverpool firm that describes itself as “very open-minded” about external investment is one of a pair of firms to receive the latest alternative business structure (ABS) licences from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Law Society set for confrontation with ICAEW over ABS application
The Law Society will challenge the application by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to become an alternative business structure regulator, Legal Futures can report. The question of separating regulation and representation is a key bone of contention.
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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.
