Investigation of law firm accounts reports “tripled in two years”, impact report shows
The number of qualified accountants’ reports due to rule breaches has fallen by two-thirds since the rules were changed in 2015, but the amount then being investigated for possible rule breaches has tripled, it has emerged. A handful of them have led to regulatory action as a result.
Call to investigate barriers to ABSs moving into other professional services
The Solicitors Regulation Authority should investigate whether there are regulatory barriers to law firms that become alternative business structures providing other professional services such as accountancy and surveying, rather than vice versa, a report it commissioned has recommended.
Top judge predicts revolution in use of legal services and training of lawyers
Technology will revolutionise the way we educate, train, and utilise legal expertise, a senior judge has predicted. Sir Geoffrey Vos, chancellor of the High Court, laid out a vision of the future where training might depend on whether people wanted to be a ‘social lawyer’, a ‘human rights lawyer’ or a ‘business lawyer.
Ministry of Justice “a little frustrated” by legal aid strike as CBA recommends ‘no returns’ policy
David Gauke, the justice secretary and Lord Chancellor, has admitted that the Ministry of Justice is feeling “a little frustrated” by the direct action taken by criminal law barristers over legal aid fees. Shortly after, the Criminal Bar Association recommended that its members “escalate” their current action by instituting a ‘no returns’ policy from 25 May.
Labour and Liberal Democrats bid to derail Civil Liability Bill whiplash reforms
Labour and Liberal Democrat peers have put down a host of amendments to the Civil Liability Bill which aim to limit the impact it would have on whiplash claimants. Tomorrow the bill enters its committee stage in the House of Lords, which allows for changes to the bill, subject either to agreement by the government or, more likely, a vote of the house.
Over-running court modernisation risks “unintended consequences”, says National Audit Office
The failure of HM Courts and Tribunals Service to carry the support of lawyers for its ambitious modernisation plans has contributed to failing to meet its timetable, according to Parliament’s spending watchdog. The National Audit Office warned that the service was “behind where it expected to be at this stage” of the £1bn reforms
Government defeats bid to annul legal aid reform as MPs call for more support for criminal Bar
The government yesterday defeated a Labour attempt to annul the legislation changing the scheme through which criminal defence advocates are paid for carrying out publicly funded work in the Crown Court, which has led to over 100 chambers declining instructions. However, there was also recognition that the criminal Bar needed greater support.
Competition hotshot takes helm at Legal Services Consumer Panel
A former senior servant with substantial experience of competition law has been named the new chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel. Sarah Chambers replaces Dr Jane Martin, who resigned after just a year in post to become a member of the Office for Legal Complaints, the body that oversees the Legal Ombudsman.
Rosenblatt targets acquisitions and in-house litigation funding as it makes AIM bow
City law firm Rosenblatt today became the fourth law firm to be admitted to AIM. The share placement, which was significantly oversubscribed, raised approximately £43m and gave the 19-partner firm, which is best known for its litigation work, a market capitalisation of £76m.
Keen makes first Civil Liability Bill concession and says solicitors will offer unbundled advice
Lawyers will adapt to serve injured clients affected by its whiplash reforms, with “unbundled” advice one option, the government has predicted as it made the first concession on the Civil Liability Bill by removing non-motor vehicle users from its scope.
