Public opposed to government’s personal injury reforms, survey finds
Four in five motorists do not think it is likely that their insurer will cut premiums after saving more than £1bn under the government’s personal injury (PI) reforms. A similar number would not know what to do if the reforms forced them to pursue a PI claim on their own.
Top holiday sickness firm among 27 facing SRA probe amid claims “the bubble has burst”
A law firm that topped the table for holiday sickness claims is among 27 claimant firms being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, it has emerged. A leading defendant solicitor said he was surprised to see the firm heading the list, because it was “not one we had pretty much ever heard of”.
Court users “must buy in to reforms”, says MoJ as it pledges vulnerable will not be left behind
The Ministry of Justice’s top civil servant has told MPs that the government’s massive court reform programme will have failed if it does not carry the support of those who work in and use the courts. Meanwhile, the chief executive of HM Courts and Tribunal Service stressed that non-digital systems would remain alongside digital ones.
University pioneers legal tech course for law degree students
Manchester University has launched what is understood to be the first legal technology course for law degree students in England and Wales. The course will combine classroom study of different approaches to access to justice with building an app for use by legal non-profit organisations.
Numeracy skills “massively more important” for future lawyers, tech pioneer predicts
Numeracy skills will be “massively more important in the new world of legal services delivery”, the co-founder of “legal engineers” Wavelength Law has predicted. He said there would be more solicitors in the future, as new technology and automation generated new kinds of disputes.
FCA unveils beefed-up regulatory regime for claims management companies
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out the more stringent regime it intends to apply to claims management companies when it takes over their regulation on 1 April 2019. A consultation on its new rules said that “when working well, CMCs can provide useful services for customers”, but it also identified several “harms” to consumers.
Bar Council attacks BSB’s disciplinary reform plans
The Bar Council has called on the Bar Standards Board not to move to an “entirely different system” which will see far smaller groups of people than now make decisions on what to do about barristers accused of misconduct. It said the regulator’s professional conduct committee was “working well” and should not be replaced.
Media law firm secures £16m investment in IP protection spin-off
Incopro, an online brand and IP protection business co-founded by media law firm Wiggin, has raised $21m (£16m) from a leading growth equity investor. Incopro – founded in 2012 – is one of a series of ancillary businesses created by Wiggin, the Cheltenham and London-based alternative business structure.
Licensed conveyancers to face price and service transparency rules
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has become the first regulator to announce what service standards and prices it will mandate the firms it regulates to publish online. It is also encouraging its firms to go beyond the minimum regulatory requirements and use the transparency drive to differentiate themselves better and attract clients.
Litigants in person “would benefit from human-centred design changes” in courts
The civil courts should be reformed by introducing human-centred design principles into the courts, which would make them welcoming and easy to navigate for litigants in person, according to new research. This would overturn an evolution that has favoured legal professionals over ordinary court users, and make the whole experience more efficient and less intimidating.
