Legal Services Act
Common standards for criminal advocates set for July 2011
Common advocacy standards for criminal law specialist barristers, solicitors and legal executives should be in place by July 2011, it has been announced. Judges will play a major role in assessing top advocates and in the ‘traffic light’ system that will identify poorly performing advocates.
LSB to fast-track decision on whether to regulate will-writers
The Legal Services Board is to fast-track a decision on whether to regulate will-writers, it has emerged, with its consumer panel launching a formal investigation as a first step.
Exclusive: LSB rejects referral fee ban, but backs “enhanced transparency”
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has ruled out reinstating the ban on referral fees and instead is proposing enhanced transparency, with different rules for different types of legal work, Legal Futures can exclusively reveal after obtaining LSB papers under the Freedom of Information Act.
Consumer panel: conveyancers should have more freedom to act for both buyer and seller
Conveyancers should be allowed to act for both seller and buyer far more regularly than is currently permitted, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said. They should also be required to include non-optional costs in their upfront fees.
LSB backs axing of insurers’ obligation to pay solicitors’ defence costs in disciplinary cases
Solicitors facing disciplinary proceedings after 1 October will no longer be able to call on their indemnity insurance to pay their defence costs, after the Legal Services Board approved changes to the indemnity rules. The decision comes despite strong opposition from the Law Society.
Public need information about firms’ SRA records so they can “vote with their feet”
Clients should be given the information they need to identify firms with poor compliance histories so that they “can punish them by voting with their feet”, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said. It also called on the Solicitors Regulation Authority to introduce a leniency programme for solicitors who blow the whistle on misconduct in which they are involved with others.
Government targets CFAs and contingency fees in Jackson consultation
The government is to consult on Lord Justice Jackson’s blueprint for reform of conditional fee agreements (CFAs), as well as introducing contingency fees, “as a matter of priority”, justice minister Jonathan Djanogly announced today.
LSB on collision course with Law Society and Bar Council over regulators’ lay majorities
The Legal Services Board is on a collision course with the Law Society and Bar Council after demanding that both introduce lay majorities on the boards of their regulatory arms sooner than planned, Legal Futures can reveal.
Revealed: Coalition to announce way forward on Jackson as Young backs report
The future of referral fees could become clearer next week after Legal Futures learned that the Coalition government is to issue a statement on Monday outlining what it intends to do with the Jackson report.
Private equity keen on the biggest and smallest City firms, says PE-backed solicitor
Private equity investors are interested in either the top City firms or niche practices, according to the solicitor who this week set up a law firm with private equity loans which could be turned into equity stakes when allowed.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
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.
