Legal Services Act

New requirements for reporting rule breaches to the Solicitors Regulation Authority have been approved by the Legal Services Board. The changes include a new ‘early investigation’ rule.

The head of the body building the new whiplash portal has insisted that the organisation “does not dictate policy to ministers”. He also revealed that the cost of setting up the portal would be £15m.

The private equity backer of failed personal injury firm Roberts Jackson is set to lose its entire £22.5m investment, while unsecured creditors will only receive pennies in the pound.

Lawyers must provide their clients with a cost benefit analysis so they can understand the choices available to them, the Legal Ombudsman has said, also warning lawyers to be “crystal clear” over charges.

The partners of listed law firm DWF have donated 1.8m shares, currently worth £2.1m, to its charitable foundation. The award will enable the DWF Foundation to expand and sustain its grant-giving.

Judges on the frontline of the court modernisation programme has expressed “serious concerns” that the £1bn committed to the reforms will run out before they can be completed.

A former general counsel and City partner has launched an online service that aims to simplify and speed up the way in-house lawyers instruct external law firms.

Sole practitioners have overtaken small firms with two to four partners in terms of profit per equity partner, a survey has found. Sole practitioners also led the way in fee income growth compared to larger firms.

A major London-based legal charity has shut its doors due to a worsening financial position, not long after unveiling ambitions for greater national coverage and digital services.

MPs on the justice select committee have been urged to press the Ministry of Justice for information about the development of the small claims portal to be made public.

Keystone Law today announced annual results “comfortably ahead of market expectations” as its share price continues to soar, having more than tripled in the 18 months since it listed on AIM.

The Legal Services Board is pulling back on proposed rules that would not allow bodies like the Law Society and Bar Council to try and “influence” their regulatory arms.

DWF has made its first acquisition since becoming a listed law firm, buying Polish practice K&L Gates Jamka for an estimated net asset value of £3m.

David Gauke, the justice secretary, delivered an upbeat assessment this morning on his chances of boosting the Ministry of Justice budget after huge cuts. He also spoke about raising the judicial retirement age.

A large majority (77%) of consumers are more likely to use law firms that publish their fees online, a major survey has found. A smaller majority (58%) would be prepared to use freelance solicitors.