Legal Services Act

More than half of barristers’ chambers will go out of business within six months if they do not receive financial support from the government during the coronavirus crisis, the Bar Council has warned.

The first week of the coronavirus lockdown saw new enquiries fall by up to 60% and firms start furloughing staff at once, research by a leading consultant has found. But they are “up for the fight”.

National Accident Helpline is giving up its authorisation as a claims management company and will in future be overseen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Futures can reveal.

National law firm Simpson Millar has demonstrated its confidence in the post-coronavirus future by buying its second personal injury book of business in the past few months and targeting more.

The Legal Ombudsman has hit crisis point again after it was forced to backtrack on its request for a 20% budget rise, with the Legal Services Board describing its performance as unacceptable.

Organisations representing conveyancers have joined forces to issue guidance on handling matters during the coronavirus pandemic, including how to vary completion dates.

National chambers Clerksroom is rallying barristers to volunteer for a new pro bono scheme to help keyworkers and struggling businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic obtain legal advice.

DWF – the world’s largest listed law firm – is to seek more “headroom” from its lenders as a precaution to help deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Conveyancers should continue to support the sales process “as far as possible” but look to change dates of completion during the lockdown, the government said yesterday.

Plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to introduce a centralised test for solicitors wanting higher rights of audience have divided opinions among organisations and individual solicitors.