Legal Services Act
Law firms will have eight weeks to resolve complaints before ombudsman can step in
Lawyers will have a maximum of eight weeks to resolve complaints before the Legal Ombudsman will agree to investigate, the new service has confirmed, but it may ask them why they did not deal with them even quicker.
Weekly round-up: criminals target law firms, LPO ethics and accountants eye legal market
Our weekly round-up of other useful news and articles highlights worries that criminals are targeting failing law firms, accountants wanting more of the legal services market, concerns over new conflicts rules, a call to change the terms of PII cover, the need for more ethics guidance around LPO and much more.
SRA “forced” to require firms to tell existing clients about new rights to complain
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been forced “under duress” to approve a rule change under which solicitors will have to inform existing clients of their right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman, despite efforts to persuade the Legal Services Board to change its position.
SRA in surprise move to revisit guidance on pre-ABS deals with external investors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to revisit at its next meeting the question of whether to relax its rules on preparations in advance of the launch of alternative business structures next October.
Guess who’s coming to dinner? LSB’s register of hospitality revealed
A range of law firms and commercial interests have been wining and dining representatives of the Legal Services Board (LSB), according to information released to Legal Futures under the Freedom of Information Act.
The complaints countdown
With a month to go until the Legal Ombudsman opens for business, I went up to Birmingham last week to see how things are shaping up. So, how are the profession’s millions being spent?
Face-to-face legal advice via the Internet as law firm buys Capita’s helpline
West Midlands law firm Forum Law is planning to give legal advice over the Internet after buying Capita Assistance’s legal helpline business. Called Legal Assistance Direct (LAD), the service already had contracts to provide legal advice to over five million client customers of various institutions. It currently receives around 35-40,000 calls a year.
To publish or not? LeO reopens debate on naming and shaming firms over complaints
The controversial prospect of publishing law firms’ complaints records will be put firmly back on the agenda with a consultation by the Legal Ombudsman, Legal Futures can report.
SRA to warn firms not to enter into binding agreements with external investors yet
Law firms preparing to become alternative business structures should not enter into binding contractual agreements with prospective external owners, the Solicitors Regulation Authority is likely to warn this week.
Firms and chambers set for obligation to publish staff diversity data from next year
The Legal Services Board is pushing ahead with plans to require law firms and chambers to publish comprehensive diversity and class information about their staff from next year, Legal Futures has learned.
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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.
