Survey highlights communication gap between conveyancers and their clients
Almost half of conveyancing clients complain of a lack of communication during the process, while two-thirds of conveyancers believe they keep consumers fully informed, a survey has found. Some conveyancers are finding ways of bridging the gap, with the proportion using online portals growing from 4% to 15% in three years.
Supreme Court opens way for barrister to sue BSB for race discrimination
The Supreme Court has given the green light to a barrister to bring a claim of racial discrimination against the Bar Standards Board, by overturning a decision that her case was brought out of time. Portia O’Connor, who is black, was the first barrister to become a partner in a legal disciplinary partnership.
Slater & Gordon to avoid insolvency after shareholders accept hedge fund takeover
Slater & Gordon is set to avoid insolvency after nearly 70% of shareholders approved a recapitalisation plan which will see its senior lenders – led by American hedge fund Anchorage Capital – take control in a debt-for-equity deal.
LSB to investigate regulatory risks of AI as it promises to act as “agent of change” in legal market
The Legal Services Board is to launch a project to investigate the regulatory implications of the latest technology, including artificial intelligence. It has also promised to be “an agent of change” for the legal services sector, encourage innovation by identifying measures to remove barriers to entry to the legal market and also stimulate competition.
Specialisation the top opportunity for firms as full-service practices lose ground, survey finds
A greater focus on specialist sectors is seen by senior managers as the biggest opportunity for law firms over the next two to three years, a survey has found. It comes at a time when firms believe that competitive pressures have increased but almost all are confident about the future.
Justice minister pours cold water on growing calls to fund early legal advice
The government yesterday damped down hopes that it would consider funding greater access to early legal advice. Support for a restore legal aid for early advice has been growing, with justice committee chairman Bob Neill MP and Supreme Court president Baroness Hale among those to talk up its benefits.
High Court criticises BSB as it dismisses appeal against sanction handed to leading barrister
The High Court has rejected one of the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) first appeals against a disciplinary sanction, sharply criticising the way in which it was pursued. The court found that the BSB had “fallen far short” of showing that no reasonable tribunal could have decided to just reprimand high-profile barrister Lincoln Crawford.
BTE legal expenses insurance has “considerable role to play” in delivering access to justice
Before-the-event legal expenses insurance has “a considerable role in improving access to justice in the current legal landscape”, with the advice helplines that come with them of particular benefit, a major report has found.
Gateley unveils good results as its non-legal acquisitions thrive
Gateley, the UK’s first listed law firm, has announced strong first-half results, with revenue up 9.8% to £38.6m. A significant proportion of the growth (15%) came from the two non-legal businesses it bought last year, surveyors Hamer Associates and tax advisory business Capitus.
Land Registry eyes use of AI and publishing conveyancer performance data
The Land Registry has unveiled plans to use artificial intelligence in conveyancing and also publish data on conveyancers’ performance. It comes as a Legal Futures report – published today – highlights how the use of data is set to change commercial conveyancing and the law firms which do it.
