Mediators ready for compulsion as caseload tops pre-Covid level
The number of civil mediations has hit 17,000 a year, 3% higher than the pre-pandemic level, while mediators are ready and willing for mediation to become compulsory for sub-£10,000 cases.
LeO has 22 ongoing enforcement actions against lawyers
The Legal Ombudsman has 22 live enforcement cases against legal services providers that have failed to comply with its decisions, according to the latest figures.
Trio of solicitors sanctioned for conveyancing firm misconduct
A solicitor whose misconduct included using client money to help his firm with cash flow difficulties has been struck off, while two solicitors he hoodwinked have also been sanctioned.
Supreme Court refuses to hear two cases on solicitors’ rights
The Supreme Court has let down both the profession and clients by refusing to hear two cases on solicitors’ rights brought by a specialist London law firm, its managing partner has argued.
New chair of LSB viewed single regulator for lawyers as “inevitable”
A vastly experienced regulator who once described the prospect of a single regulator for lawyers as “inevitable” has been named as the new chair of the Legal Services Board.
Solicitor struck off for lying over legal aid debt fails in appeal
A solicitor who lied about not having a bank account or any income other than benefits to avoid repaying a debt to the Legal Aid Agency has failed in his appeal against being struck off.
“No sensible reason” for split profession anymore, says leading KC
There is in principle “no sensible reason for a split profession”, with the distinction between solicitors and barristers making little sense in the modern world, a leading silk said yesterday.
Fast-growing ABS expands again but this year’s focus is on profit
An alternative business structure which launched as a specialist conveyancing firm with three staff in March 2019 now has more than 100 in multiple practice areas as it opens a fifth office.
Crypto world opens up opportunities for solicitors, says SRA
Solicitors could improve their productivity by using distributed ledger technology but need to take care if a client wants to pay by cryptocurrency, the SRA has cautioned.
Will-writing clients increasingly interested in add-on services
Consumers are increasingly interested in add-on services to will-writing, such as funeral plans, and are also more open to online delivery of those services, new research has found.
