From leads to legal advice: National Accident Helpline sets up ABS
NAHL, the marketing business that owns National Accident Helpline, is to launch its own law firm after being awarded an alternative business structure licence and signing a deal with Cardiff-based NewLaw Solicitors. It will trade under the name Your Law LLP and is expected to start business on 1 July.
Ex-government lawyer struck off for falsifying court documents in attempted cover-up
A government solicitor has been struck off for dishonestly backdating documents in an attempt to cover up his mistake after missing a court deadline in a high-profile case on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. He backdated the documents in order to resist an application for default judgment.
“Don’t call them McKenzie friends” – Court of Appeal looks to counter growth of unqualified advisers in crime cases
The term ‘McKenzie friend’ is not appropriate in the criminal division of the Court of Appeal, the vice-president of the court has said in a ruling detailing the problems that the increasing number of “unqualified third parties” is causing. It also said there needed to be clearer guidance to aid law schools with projects to help convicted people.
Gateley share price reaches all-time high as it indicates strong annual results
Turnover at the country’s first listed law firm, Gateley, has gone up by at least 15% in the last financial year, it announced to the stock exchange today as its share price reached an all-time high. It said revenue for the financial year ended 30 April 2017 will be not less than £77m, up from £67m the previous year.
SRA fails with bid to strike out solicitor’s damages claim
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has failed to strike out a damages claim by a solicitor at the High Court who claims it breached his confidentiality when it handed over documents from the firm to that solicitor’s former partner in relation to a separate legal action.
Millennials generation “ushers in era of demanding clients and responsive lawyers”
The ‘millennial’ generation of legal services buyer is taking over from the ‘baby boomers’ and bringing a range of new expectations that lawyers must respond to, such as flexibility of service and working hours, predictable pricing, and value for money, according to a new report.
Bar Standards Board scores football specialists as first ABS
The Bar Standards Board has licensed its first alternative business structure, a combination of barristers from 2 Dr Johnson’s Buildings and football agents. VII Law – which started life last year as a BSB entity – is working alongside VII Management, a sports, entertainment and media business.
Top-50 accountancy firm becomes ABS
Top 50 accountancy firm Barnes Roffe has become the latest to gain an alternative business structure licence, Legal Futures can reveal. Meanwhile, Nottingham Law School’s ABS and ‘teaching law firm’ has launched a business and enterprise law service to provide affordable legal advice to small businesses, entrepreneurs and charities.
LSB decides against changing rules on telling clients about complaints procedures
The Legal Services Board has dismissed concerns about the “negative” impact of its requirement that lawyers tell clients about their complaints procedures before any work has been done. Research found “negative reactions” to the prominence of this information but the board said the problem was how some lawyers have chosen to provide it.
Manchester Law Society calls for pro bono volunteers to aid bomb victims
Manchester Law Society has called for firms to join a pro bono advice rota to help those bereaved or injured in the Manchester Arena bomb on Monday. The society is looking for firms who are willing to give pro bono advice and free representation to bereaved families to assist with applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and with inquests.
