Legal Services Act
Co-op to ramp up staffing as it waits for ABS go-ahead
Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has begun staffing its family division after launching what it described as the largest recruitment drive in its history. CLS is looking to appoint up to 150 new positions. It currently has around 400 staff.
LSB, Bar Council and big law firms sign up to Clegg’s ‘Business Compact’ on social mobility
The Legal Services Board, Bar Council and 10 top law firms have signed the government’s ‘Business Compact’ on social mobility to end the “who you know, not what you know” culture, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced.
Government kicks off review of LSB and Legal Ombudsman's roles
The government review of the “continuing need for the functions and the form” of the Legal Services Board and Office for Legal Complaints began yesterday with a call for evidence. It will take up to six months to complete.
Consumers don't need to use a lawyer to write their will, banks tell LSB
It is not necessary to use a legally qualified professional to prepare a will, the British Bankers Association has insisted. It said a bank’s in-house unit “produces just as satisfactory a service as a firm of solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority”.
Firms and chambers could be forced to publish how many complaints they receive
Law firms and barristers’ chambers may be forced to publish statistics on how efficiently they handle complaints internally – including how many they receive – the Legal Ombudsman has suggested.
News in brief: ABS applications update, SfH founder fights on, Eversheds’ "absolute fixed fee" and more
Our regular round-up includes the latest number of ABS applicants, an about-turn by the founder of Solicitors from Hell, Eversheds extending its partnership with Tyco, more cash for Rocket Lawyer, plus Manchester mergers, litigation funding and more.
Everyman Legal to pioneer "business hub franchises" for solicitors
Everyman Legal – the ‘virtual’ practice that last October became the first law firm to announce its intention to seek admission to a stock exchange – has announced plans to pioneer “business hub franchises” for solicitors.
First ABS wannabes begin SRA application process
More than 10 prospective alternative business structures completed the first stage of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s application process on the first day, the authority has revealed. SRA figures show that it will spend a minimum of three days considering applications.
Djanogly hails benefits of ABSs to law firms and consumers as SRA opens doors to applications
Alternative business structures will make solicitors’ firms “more competitive, more accessible and more efficient”, justice minister Jonathan Djanogly claimed today as the Solicitors Regulation Authority opened its doors to the first ABS applications.
IPReg set for ABS licensing authority application
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) is set to apply to become an alternative business structure licensing authority, it has emerged. A scoping document published last week lays out the process required to be designated in October 2013.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
