Director of CMC that received – but didn’t pay – record fine accepts ban
The director of the claims management company that was the subject of the largest-ever fine handed out by the Claims Management Regulator has accepted a ban from being a director for the next nine years. Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner has executed a search warrant while investigating the illegal access of customer details from a major car repair company.
National Accident Helpline eyes ABS joint ventures in response to PI reforms
National Accident Helpline is set to invest in personal injury cases for the first time through alternative business structures, it revealed today. It said the government’s PI reforms would catch “less than” 30% of the enquiries it generated for firms but still meant major changes were needed.
SRA: No abuse of process to discipline solicitor found in breach of undertaking by court
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has rebuked and fined £2,000 a solicitor already found by the High Court to be in breach of an undertaking, rejecting the argument that this was an abuse of process.
Online road traffic offences pioneer to launch private client service
A solicitor and online legal services pioneer who developed the first automated system for clients to send briefs to counsel, is launching a private client service this summer that “enables people to pick and choose the legal services they need and want to pay for”.
More IT woe for judicial appointment candidates puts integrity of process “in doubt”
The integrity and reliability of the high-profile process to recruit 100 recorders are “in doubt” after applicants suffered yet more IT problems, the chairman of the Criminal Bar Association has warned. Last month, the Judicial Appointments Commission’s website crashed as 2,500 solicitors and barristers tried to take an online qualifying test.
Clients are drawn to the advice more than the adviser, says Susskind
The days of lawyers as trusted advisers are numbered because a reliable outcome to their issue is more important to clients than a relationship with their lawyer, Professor Richard Susskind has claimed. He also expressed concern about the impact of Brexit on the UK maintaining its focus on a period of unprecedented technological progress.
SRA decision to hold board meetings in private “may breach Legal Services Act”
The decision by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to close its meetings to public and press scrutiny appears to be contrary to its obligations under the Legal Services Act 2007, a leading regulatory solicitor has said. He argued that the SRA is now facing a “crucial credibility test”.
Bar Council warns barristers against “bending the truth” in online marketing
The Bar Council has warned barristers about “bending the truth” when making claims on a personal or chambers website and said they must be able to support claims that they are one of the best in their field.
ABS hopes to build up consumer brand covering 14 types of claim
A high street law firm has obtained an alternative business structure licence as part of a strategy to build up its Refund You website-based consumer brand, which covers 14 areas of claims, from personal injury and financial mis-selling to timeshares and cavity wall insulation.
Legal market growth forecasts revised downwards as research finds it contracted in 2016
The value of the UK legal services market fell last year and there will only be modest growth over the next two years, with uncertainty over Brexit a contributing factor to researchers downgrading their forecasts, a new report has revealed. Large law firms have continued to see revenue growth, but medium and small firms have been hit.
