Legal Services Act
MoJ: No change to whiplash reform timetable
The Ministry of Justice is continuing to work towards April 2020 to implement the whiplash reforms despite the upcoming election, it has confirmed.
“Turn-around” specialist sought to head Legal Ombudsman
The Legal Services Board is looking for a person with experience of “turn-around situations” to become the new chair of the Office of Legal Complaints, the board which oversees the Legal Ombudsman.
LSB builds case for ‘continuing competence’ push
The Legal Services Board has heard calls for regulators to take a more “hands-on” approach to ensuring that lawyers remain competent through their careers.
Conveyancers “need not fear” home buying shake-up
A “single source of truth” that contains all the information about a property before it goes on the market is in the works as part of plans to speed up the home buying and selling process, it has emerged.
Mega-survey highlights need to grow “legal confidence”
The largest legal needs survey ever run in England and Wales shows what a difference professional advice and ‘legal confidence’ among consumers makes to the outcome of their matters.
“Good reasons” for larger firms to look at listing
There are “many good reasons” for larger law firms to considering listing on the stock market, especially with growing competition from alternative legal services providers, a survey has warned.
“Urgent need” to help hard-hit rural law firms in Wales
The Welsh Government should develop and implement as soon as possible a detailed strategy to “reinvigorate the rural and post-industrial legal sector” in Wales, a major report has recommended.
Exclusive: Top-40 accountancy firm launches ABS
Top-40 accountancy firm Streets has become the latest to add legal services to its offering with an alternative business structure licence – making it only the seventh top-100 firm to do so.
Slater & Gordon continues office shutdowns
Slater & Gordon is closing one office and in consultation over closing another as it continues to rationalise its practice since becoming the first law firm owned by a hedge fund.
S&G settles Quindell action for less than 2% of claim value
Slater & Gordon has settled its claim against what was Quindell Group on the eve of trial – for just £11m, or 1.7% of the £637m claim. There were no admissions of liability.
Blog
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
