Practice Management
Indemnity cover cut ignores ‘increasing’ number of larger claims
The number of larger professional indemnity claims is increasing, undermining the case for a cut in the minimum cover for law firms from £2m to £500,000, an industry expert has argued in a letter to the Legal Services Board.
‘Accountants have £500,000 indemnity limit, so why can’t we?’ SRA asks LSB
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reminded the Legal Services Board (LSB) of its decision to allow accountancy firms wanting to carry out legal work to have minimum indemnity insurance cover of £500,000, in a bid to head off concerns about its move to reduce the level for solicitors.
Internet overtakes friends and family as main way to find a solicitor
Clients are significantly more likely to find a solicitor through the internet than by asking friends or family, a major study of over 2,000 people has found.
‘QS Price Promise’ to launch in September
QualitySolicitors is to launch its ‘QS Price Promise’ in September, combined with a national TV advertising campaign, the network has revealed. It is also changing its approach to firms having to adopt the QS name.
BSB follows SRA in backing £500,000 indemnity limit for firms
The Bar Standards Board has followed the Solicitors Regulation Authority and proposed that the advocacy and litigation firms it hopes to regulate later this year should have indemnity cover of at least £500,000.
Slater & Gordon brings Captain Cook on board as it also launches employee share scheme
The announcement yesterday that Alastair Cook has become a brand ambassador for Slater & Gordon failed to spark a turnaround in the embattled England cricket captain’s fortunes, as he was out for just five in the first Test against India.
High Court rules that identity of client is covered by privilege
The High Court has rejected a bid to force a law firm to disclose the identity of a former client who revealed confidential information in an anonymous blog.
ABI joins critics of lower indemnity insurance limit
The Association of British Insurers has joined the chorus of criticism of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s decision to cut the minimum level of professional indemnity insurance to £500,000. SRA consultees were opposed by nearly 3:1, it has also emerged.
Law Society signs joint venture deal to create conveyancing portal
The Law Society has teamed up with software company Mastek UK Limited to deliver its conveyancing portal, which aims to speed up the home-buying process. The pair have set up a joint venture company called Legal Practice Technologies Ltd.
SRA goes ahead with £500,000 PII limit but postpones other reforms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has decided to go ahead with cutting the minimum compulsory cover for indemnity insurance from £2m to £500,000, despite strong opposition from the Law Society.
Blog
Why good governance matters when managing Law Society forms
Everyday legal transactions rely on Law Society forms. But they are often treated as static templates rather than what they really are: living documents that change over time.
A letter from the SRA? Your first reaction matters
An email from the SRA has a way of rearranging a working day. It arrives in the same inbox as everything else, often in the same measured tone, yet it carries a different weight.
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
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