Other lawyers
LSB sparks fresh independence row with call for regulators to have lay chairs
The frontline regulators need lay chairs at the helm so as to cut the “overly strong ties” that still exist with their branches of the profession and have held back change, the Legal Services Board said yesterday. The call was met by strong opposition.
CLC set to resume narrowed litigation rights battle
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is to continue its bid to regulate the conduct of litigation but will focus on property-related litigation, it has announced. Meanwhile, the regulator is to farm out its role as an education provider because of a “clear conflict”.
Manchester firm ties up joint venture with insurer as law centres win ABS exemption extension
A Manchester law firm has launched a joint venture alternative business structure (ABS) with one of its major insurer clients. Meanwhile, the transitional exemption from ABS licensing currently afforded to not-for-profit organisations has been extended indefinitely.
Call to end “double regulation” of conveyancers through CQS and lender criteria
The Law Society’s conveyancing quality scheme and lender-specific requirements amount to double regulation of lawyers and there needs to be a sector-wide effort to resolve the problem, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has urged.
CMCs in the dock over cold-calling and shoddy work
Citizens Advice has hit out at claims management companies for cold-calling and the way they then handle payment protection insurance mis-selling cases. Two-thirds of adults – equivalent to 32m people in the UK – say they have been cold-called over PPI, its research claims.
Conveyancers face new referral fee disclosure rules but no ban
The Legal Services Board has backed improvements to the transparency of referral fees paid by licensed conveyancers following a review that found absolutely no justification for a ban.
CMCs’ turnover tops £1bn as referral fee ban prompts mass exodus from personal injury
The turnover of claims management companies spiralled 31% last year to top £1bn, with the turnover for the financial claims sector exceeding that of personal injury companies for the first time, Ministry of Justice figures have shown.
Shareholders back ABS sale
The shareholders of online conveyancing business In-Deed – the first listed company to buy a law firm – have approved the plan to dispose of the practice and the rest of its business. Nonetheless, the failure of In-Deed paves the way for “further necessary disruption in the conveyancing market”, it has been claimed.
Will-writers face jail as new code of practice scheme goes live
Members of the Institute of Professional Willwriters who fail to comply with its code of practice face fines or even imprisonment, as a new UK-wide scheme to strengthen self-regulation by setting standards for such codes goes live.
AIM-listed conveyancing business set to become first ABS casualty
In-deed Online plc – the first listed company to buy a law firm – is now set to become the first alternative business structure (ABS) casualty after announcing plans to sell the practice back to one of its founders along with the rest of the online conveyancing company’s business.
Blog
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.
The power of participation for trainees and apprentices
It’s important as a trainee or an apprentice to get involved in the life of your firm – even under the pressure of discovering how to navigate professional life and now the demands of the SQE.
