Law Society faces JR over refusal to reaccredit mental health specialist
A London-based law firm has filed a claim for judicial review against the Law Society’s decision not to reaccredit a solicitor who had been on its mental health panel for nearly a decade. She said the decision meant she has had to stop working in an area about which she is “passionate”, and longstanding clients have had to find new representation.
Report predicts increased demand for commercial lawyers
The value of the business legal services market will grow strongly over the next couple of years, powered partly by Brexit, a report has predicted. It also highlighted the importance of networking for commercial lawyers, with businesses large and small actively attending client seminars and other events.
Project to make smart contracts mainstream grows, as top firms burnish tech credentials
Smart contracts in cross-border commerce moved a step closer to the mainstream this week when three City law firm giants joined a project that is seeking to create global legal standards for blockchain-backed transactions. We also report on firms’ technology training moves and a knowledge transfer partnership between a law firm and university.
Government targets referral fee transparency and conveyancers publishing performance data
Estate agents will need to be more transparent over referral fees they receive from lawyers, while conveyancers will have to publish performance data, the government has decreed. It will also demand that conveyancers adopt more quality standards as part of a continuing push to help potential clients choose their lawyer.
Legal Services Board: Not our job to speak out on legal aid reform
The Legal Services Board has rejected calls to adopt a policy position on legal aid reform and the impact it might have on access to justice. The oversight regulator also rebuffed the argument that it should stop pushing for regulatory reform at a time of instability caused by Brexit.
Solicitors struck off for role in major motor insurance fraud
Two solicitors have been struck off for their role in an insurance fraud that cost victims £426,000. They were the first solicitors caught by the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said both had been “motivated by greed”.
Turnover up at Co-op Legal as it unveils Simplify Probate acquisition
The Co-op has acquired Simplify Probate, the UK’s second largest provider of probate, as it bids to become the dominant player in the market. It has also unveiled a 13.6% increase in legal services turnover for 2017 and announced a strategic alliance with the Simplify Group for property and conveyancing services.
Law firms “overcharging” PPI clients, says SRA as it warns against use of standard letters
Law firms handling claims over mis-sold payment protection insurance are charging clients more than both the level the Solicitors Regulation Authority deems reasonable and the cap that will shortly be imposed on them by government, research by the regulator has found. It also criticised the use of standard letters, which will resonate in other process-driven areas of law.
First building block of Online Court goes public
The first element of the Online Court went public today, with a beta test enabling people to issue county court money claims for up to £10,000 more easily. The Ministry of Justice said the civil money claims pilot scheme “begins to deliver the vision… for claims worth up to £25,000 to be solved in an online court”.
Biggest companies turning away from large law firms, spending analysis finds
Multinational companies with turnovers of over $1bn are spending less than half their external legal budgets on large law firms, a report has indicated. The survey found that specialist firms accounted on average for 28% of their budgets, while freelance contributors and consultants took 18% and online platforms 13%.
