Legal Services Act
CILEx and CLC confirm bids to become will-writer regulators
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and Council for Licensed Conveyancers have thrown their hats into the ring to regulate will-writers, amid further criticism of the Legal Services Board’s decision not to extend regulation to estate administration.
Mid-Staffs scandal highlights dangers of defensive culture in the law, says consumer chief
A culture of defensiveness among lawyers risks the sort of regulatory failure that occurred in the Mid-Staffordshire Hospital Trust patient neglect scandal – and legal regulators must take heed, the head of the Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned.
LSB formally requests government to regulate will-writing – but not estate administration
The Legal Services Board (LSB) will today formally recommend to the Lord Chancellor that will-writing – but not estate administration – should be regulated legal work. The LSB had initially intended to include estate administration.
Consumers, solicitors and will-writers hit out at LSB decision on estate administration
Consumers, solicitors and will-writers have united to condemn the Legal Services Board’s decision not to recommend to the government that estate administration become a regulated activity. However, chartered accountants have welcomed it.
Leading merger broker enters the law after striking deal with ABS consultancy
A leading merger broker has entered the legal market after joining forces with specialist advisory firm Invest in Law, Legal Futures can reveal. Langcliffe Merger Connect, which spun out of accountancy firm RSM Tenon last year, said it wanted to capitalise on the increasing M&A activity in the sector.
Bobby dazzler as financial advisers become first to launch own law firm
An East Midlands firm of independent financial advisers is building a law firm from scratch to provide a one-stop shop for clients after obtaining an alternative business structure licence. Bobby Dhanjal Wealth Management has launched Bobby Dhanjal Legal Services Limited.
Clients reject notion of lower legal fees in return for reduced consumer protection
Consumers believe regulators ensure they have protections when buying legal services – although they don’t really know what they are – and are content to pay extra for them, a survey of users’ perceptions has found. But they also expect lawyers to provide better information about their rights.
Feel the LegalForce – new concept goes live in US and UK
LegalForce, a US concept for delivering legal services, has today simultaneously launched in the US and UK, with plans to open a new type of legal retail store in the heart of London’s technology industry, Legal Futures can reveal.
Strong growth will not return to legal market until 2016, forecasts Law Society
The legal services market should return to something near pre-recession levels of growth in 2016, the Law Society has predicted. An economic study it published yesterday said the profession’s ‘real’ turnover fell marginally in 2012 and would then slowly recover for the next three years.
Leading ABS set to open up entry to the law through 'Learning Academy'
Co-operative Legal Services will launch a ‘Learning Academy’ later this year that will offer all staff training for a range of skills and qualifications, including becoming solicitors and chartered legal executives.
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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.
