Other lawyers
CLC “disappointed” with ministers on future of regulation
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has become the first body to express disappointment with the Ministry of Justice’s announcement last week that it would not be making any major changes to the framework of legal regulation.
SDT takes wrecking ball to LSB’s review of disciplinary regimes
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has condemned the recent Legal Services Board recommendation of a civil standard of proof for use across disciplinary tribunals as “looking like a small tail wagging a large dog”.
LSB hits out at “jumble” of disciplinary regimes, but admits it can do little to improve them
The sanctions and appeals regimes of the frontline regulators are an inconsistent “jumble” of different powers that may protect lawyers rather than consumers, according to the Legal Services Board.
LSB presses on with statutory guidance forcing regulators to liberalise education and training
Statutory guidance that requires legal regulators to move away from assuming would-be lawyers have to spend a certain amount of time training before they qualify was published yesterday by the Legal Services Board.
Second phase of apprenticeships scheme opens door to solicitor and conveyancer qualification
Key players in the legal profession have welcomed the second phase of a government-backed scheme that will create apprenticeships which for the first time will lead to qualification as a solicitor, while a new apprenticeship in conveyancing will also be developed.
CLC targets wider brief as property sector regulator
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers wants the power to regulate lawyers other than licensed conveyancers, as part of a strategy targeted at expanding its role within the property sector.
LSB to impose controversial lay chair requirement on regulators
The frontline regulators will be required to have lay chairs in future after the Legal Services Board (LSB) pressed ahead with its controversial change to the internal governance rules.
Gulf opens between profession and consumer groups over LSB lay chairs proposal
The Legal Services Board’s consultation on its plan to oblige frontline regulators to have lay chairs has met a barrage of opposition from regulators and lawyers, pitted against consumer advocates, which strongly backed the measure.
Will-writing body set for rule change after report questions value of pre-paid probate plans
The Society of Will Writers is set to adopt a code of conduct change that will prevent its members from taking advance payments for acting in the administration of a client’s estate after research found few benefits for consumers.
SRA, BSB and other regulators join forces to demystify the law for consumers
The frontline legal regulators yesterday launched a groundbreaking consumer-facing information website that aims to demystify the legal profession for ordinary people.
STEP volunteers will writing code of practice to fill regulatory vacuum
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners members will have to abide by a code of practice when they write wills, part of an attempt by the society to fill the regulatory vacuum.
IPReg poised to become ABS licensing authority number 3
The prospect of external investment in intellectual property firms is set to soar after the Intellectual Property Regulation Board won the support of the Legal Services Board to become the third alternative business structure licensing authority.
Will writing body seeks to expand legal services options for members
The Institute of Professional Will Writers has appointed a solicitor to be its first chief executive, as part of a radical overhaul of the organisation that it hopes will involve licensing legal services businesses.
CMC numbers slump as referral fee ban hits home
The number of claims management companies has fallen by nearly a quarter since the introduction of the referral fee ban and prohibition on offering inducements, new figures have shown.
Lack of diversity should raise flag about firms, LSB tells regulators
Legal regulators should in future rate the risk that firms present to the public on the basis of the diversity of their workforce, and focus supervision on those with the worst records, according to a report.
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.
