Barristers
LSB to call on regulators to make law firms and chambers “accountable” over diversity
Regulators need to do more with the diversity data they now collect in order to drive improvements in recruitment and particularly progression and retention within the profession, the Legal Services Board will shortly say.
Nobody gets what they want as BSB “subverting the rules” case heads back to Visitors
Appeal judges have decided that a disciplinary case in which they found a Bar Standards Board official responsible for “subverting the rules” on disclosure should return to the Visitors to the Inns of Court.
Supreme Court to hear QASA appeal – but rejects claim of threat to advocate independence
The barristers challenging the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates have today been granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. The hearing is listed for March.
BSB launches CPD pilot as it moves away from hours-based scheme
The Bar Standards Board has launched a pilot scheme to test plans to replace its hours-based CPD system with a new scheme in 2017. The pilot, launched last month, will run until March next year.
BSB investigates complaints about 17 barristers at same chambers
The Bar Standards Board is investigating complaints about 17 barristers at the same chambers, it has emerged. Meanwhile, there have been 55 expressions of interest and seven formal applications to form BSB-regulated entities.
Court of Appeal: BSB official “blind to any sense of fairness” in disciplinary prosecution
The Court of Appeal has criticised in the strongest language the behaviour of an official at the Bar Standards Board responsible for “subverting the rules” on disclosure in a case that led to a barrister being disbarred.
‘Named and shamed’ barrister banned from public access work
Tariq Rehman, the barrister who last month became the first lawyer to be ‘named and shamed’ by the Legal Ombudsman for a series of complaints, has been banned from taking on any new public access cases for the time being.
Exclusive: 1,000 barristers sign up to “game changing” public access scheme
More than 1,000 barristers have already signed up to a “game changing” initiative that aims to smooth the way for consumers and businesses to use public access, Legal Futures can reveal.
“Real appetite” for change as 18 barrister firms make contact with regulator
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has spoken of a “real appetite” for change as barristers aiming to set up 18 niche advocacy firms contacted the regulator.
Grayling promises crackdown on criminal law referral fees
Justice secretary Chris Grayling has promised criminal law barristers that the government will “take measures” to strengthen the Legal Aid Agency’s ban on solicitors demanding referral fees.
Blog
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
