Legal Services Act
Pro bono panel calls for more public legal education and says ABSs may help
It is essential for law firms to offer better public legal education – including getting into schools, according to the Master of the Rolls – while alternative business structures could help pro bono provision, it was claimed at the launch of National Pro Bono Week on Monday.
Will-writer regulation and the need to address poor-quality work by solicitors
In a robust defence of the will-writing industry, Steve Jenkins of leading provider Trust Inheritance argues that while some targeted regulation of the sector could help, there needs to be a strong focus on improving the quality of solicitors’ work.
It's final – LeO decides to name and shame lawyers over complaints
From April 2012 the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) will “name and shame” law firms or lawyers against whom a “pattern of complaints” has been made, or whenever naming is judged to be in the public interest, it announced today.
Legal Services Board to intervene in Prudential privilege appeal
The Legal Services Board is to intervene in the high-profile Supreme Court case on whether the right to claim legal professional privilege should extend beyond the clients of solicitors and barristers. The Prudential case concerns tax law advice from accountants.
New legal regulator takes the reins
The professional standards of costs lawyers will in future be independently assured after the Costs Lawyer Standards Board this week became their approved regulator. They can become partners in LDPs and are within the Legal Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.
Co-op to move into family law after hiring high-profile solicitors
Co-operative Legal Services has issued a major signal of intent by recruiting two leading solicitors to launch a family law service next year: Jenny Beck and Christina Blacklaws of TV Edwards, who both hold significant roles in the profession.
CMCs warned over major ABS hitch amid call to close referral fee ban "loophole"
Claims management companies looking to create legal arms as ABSs could fall foul of Solicitors Regulation Authority rules, a former SRA director has warned, while a leading insurance lawyer cautions over a loophole in the referral fee ban.
Mid-sized firms need to be bigger and would accept external cash, says survey
A large majority of partners at mid-sized law firms believe their practices need to grow by at least a third over the next three to five years to remain competitive, with many open to the idea of external investment, a recent survey has shown.
Exclusive: DLA Piper invests in prospective ABS targeted at legal advice for businesses
Top City law firm DLA Piper has invested in a prospective alternative business structure (ABS) that promises to introduce a “market-disrupting” new approach to providing businesses with legal advice, Legal Futures can reveal.
Clients "will head to brands" but independent lawyers can still forge a future
Clients will in future gravitate to trusted brands but independent lawyers can continue to play a major role in providing legal services if they take the necessary steps, leading figures from five law firm networks have predicted.
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”.
