CMA final report: demand for better price and service transparency from law firms, and review of legal regulation
Regulators need to deliver a “step change in standards of transparency” so that lawyers’ clients can both understand the price and service they will receive, and compare providers, the Competition and Markets Authority said today. The watchdog also called on the government to review the whole regulatory regime, and backed full independence for legal regulators.
“No plan B” – incoming Bar chair outlines concerns over court modernisation
The incoming chairman of the Bar last night questioned the way court modernisation is being carried out, expressing concern that there is “no plan B” if digitisation does not work and that the justice system would lose its essence by moving to online hearings. His wide-ranging inaugural speech also focused on the travails of the junior Bar.
SRA eyes rule waivers to stimulate innovation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published a blueprint for simplifying its system for granting waivers to regulations in order to promote innovation, which it suggests will particularly benefit small firms. The new policy would guarantee no enforcement action would be taken if innovations create technical breaches of the rules.
SRA asylum report: Positive picture marred by meritless judicial reviews
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has painted a “generally positive” picture of law firms specialising in asylum work, but uncovered serious weaknesses on referrals, fees and the handling of judicial reviews.
MoJ to move ahead with PI reforms rapidly as Labour backs ‘fat cat insurers’ campaign
The Ministry of Justice confirmed yesterday that it will report on the outcome of its consultation on personal injury reform in early April, as a campaign backed by the Labour Party has highlighted the £200m that insurance companies stand to gain from the changes.
One pioneering ABS receives stamp of approval as another sees investors sell off its shares
Barnet and Harrow councils in London have renewed their shared legal service, HB Public Law, a year early, preserving the alternative business structure that has the biggest local authority legal team in the country. However, Fairpoint Group plc has seen its share price crash since issuing a profits warning about its legal arm.
Leading wills and probate provider opts for 100% employee ownership
One of the country’s biggest independent firms of will-writers has followed the example set by law firms like Stephens Scown and Gateley and introduced employee ownership in a multi-million pound deal with its previous owners.
Review urges higher fees and mandatory training to combat “poor-quality” advice in Youth Courts
The status and quality of legal representation for children before the Youth Court need to be raised first by an increase in legal aid rates and then by mandatory training for all solicitors and barristers appearing for them, a government-commissioned review has recommended.
Conveyancing firm apologises for “Christmas premium” letter
A volume conveyancing firm has apologised after sending out letters to clients asking for an additional £200 fee to “prioritise” their files in the run-up to Christmas. Meanwhile, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers is to launch a ‘secure badge’ to help the firms it regulates combat their websites being cloned.
Bar Council on Brexit: UK lawyers could lose “vast amount of work”
A “vast amount” of complex and lucrative international commercial work could be lost by UK lawyers if they are denied access to the EU legal services market as a result of Brexit, the Bar Council has warned – although some lawyers would “doubtless be in high demand in the short term for new, Brexit-related work”.
