Gauke: no more court closures – for now
There will not be another round of court closures for the time being, but this may change as technology takes hold, justice secretary David Gauke said yesterday.
Private equity firm buys two leading conveyancing practices
The battle to consolidate the fragmented conveyancing market has stepped up after a private equity company acquired two of the biggest volume providers in the country.
Knights eyes role as consolidator of independent law firms
Knights has unveiled strong results for its first year as a listed company and is now looking to “scale” its business model by acting as a consolidator of independent law firms.
Law firms resolve over 80% of complaints in-house for first time
The proportion of complaints about poor service successfully resolved in-house by law firms without reference to the Legal Ombudsman has topped 80% for the first time, it has emerged.
‘Sham marriage’ solicitor appeals against striking off
A second solicitor who told an undercover television reporter that he would help them apply for a visa on the back of a bogus marriage has been struck off – but is also appealing the decision.
Small law firms can set up effective ‘Chinese walls’, says judge
It is wrong to suggest that ‘Chinese walls’ set up by small law firms to prevent confidentiality breaches will “never be effective” – although there is a higher risk of them failing – a judge has ruled.
Innovation means “asking tough questions and using data”
Lawyers at high street firms looking to bring innovation into their firm’s cultures have been advised to find space away from day-to-day work pressures and ask if they would do anything different if starting out afresh.
Chambers “must publish” data on sexual orientation and religion
The Legal Services Board has approved a new rule requiring chambers to include sexual orientation and religion in the diversity data they publish on their websites, whether or not all of their barristers agree.
Legal Access Challenge “building innovation community”
The government-funded Legal Access Challenge has received more than 85 expressions of interests in applying for funding, the Solicitors Regulation Authority said yesterday.
Revealed: Children to be exempt from whiplash portal – for now
Children and protected parties are to be exempt from the increase in the small claims limit and the new whiplash portal – at least for now – Legal Futures can reveal. We also have more detail on the portal build.
