Regulation
SRA supervision reduces law firm risk, report on pilot finds
A report on the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s pilot on supervision of low and medium-risk firms has concluded that the regulatory risks posed by participating firms fell during the period of supervision. Feedback from the firms involved was “overwhelmingly positive”.
Todd calls for last stand against QASA
The chairman of the Bar Council has called for a last stand against several “objectionable” elements of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates or else they will form part of similar schemes planned for all areas of legal practice.
Visitors throw out conviction of pioneering barrister for conducting litigation
The first barrister to become a partner in a legal disciplinary practice has overturned a disciplinary tribunal ruling that she conducted litigation in breach of the Bar’s code of conduct, with both the tribunal and the Bar Standards Board coming in for criticism.
BSB will not contest challenges to "biased" disciplinary tribunal decisions
The Bar Standards Board is to accept that some barristers should have disciplinary findings against them overturned because of “anomalies” in the constitution of the tribunal panel which made the decision, it has emerged.
LETR team floats radical reforms to “unfit” training regime
The system for training lawyers is not fit for purpose, the Legal Education and Training Review research team has suggested. The team of academics floated a series of ideas that in some instances would represent radical reform of the present regime.
Legal Ombudsman to accept complaints about claims management companies
Claims management companies (CMCs) face the prospect of having to provide financial compensation to unhappy customers after the government announced today that they are to come within the remit of the Legal Ombudsman.
SDT finally publishes first ever sanctions guidance
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last week published its first ever guidance on sanctions, nearly 18 months after the High Court expressed its surprise that such a document did not exist.
SRA places restrictions on Parabis’s offshore operations
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has placed controls around the Parabis Group’s offshore operation in South Africa, it has emerged. Parabis received its alternative business structure licence yesterday.
Legal executives’ regulator sets sights on new practice rights and ABS licensing
The process of enabling chartered legal executives to set up their own practices has begun with their regulator looking for the power to award them rights to conduct litigation, conveyancing and probate without needing the supervision of a solicitor.
Exclusive: leading non-solicitor probate provider becomes ABS
One of the country’s leading non-solicitor probate providers will today be unveiled as the newest alternative business structure. Kings Court Trust has chosen to be regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
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.
