BME consumers “getting a raw deal from the law” compared to white clients
Black and minority ethnic (BME) consumers of legal services are getting a “raw deal” when choosing and using legal services, according to the Legal Services Consumer Panel, after its research showed levels of trust, loyalty and satisfaction lower among BME groups that white British consumers.
Court warns insurance claims handler paid by law firm for customer details
An insurance claims handler who admitted to illegally passing on customer details to a law firm and adding friends and family to genuine claims has been ordered to pay back £37,000 by Liverpool Crown Court at a confiscation hearing or face an extended jail term.
ABS round-up: City firm buys non-legal businesses to create one-stop shop, plus much more
An alternative business structure specialising in alternative investments has acquired two non-legal businesses as part of its strategy to become “the pre-eminent advisory and infrastructure business in alternative assets”. Our round-up includes news from Gateley, Triton Global, Callan Legal, Fletchers, Dezrezlegal and Knights.
Solicitor who lost his practice cleared to sue CPS and police for malicious prosecution
The High Court has given the green light to a solicitor to pursue claims against the Crown Prosecution Service and South Wales Police for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office. He argues that they engaged in an improper operation designed to prevent him practising as a solicitor.
LSB: We will do what we can to improve regulator independence if government does not act
The Legal Services Board may look for ways in which it can increase the independence of the frontline regulators from representative bodies if the proposed government consultation on full independence does not materialise, it emerged last night.
PI solicitor who put work referrers ahead of clients struck off
A personal injury solicitor who put his relationship with work referrers ahead of his duties to the clients they passed on to him has been struck off. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found one instance where he paid a client’s damages to a referrer without authority “extraordinary”.
From legal advice to government advocacy – ABS gives Cherie Blair’s firm “competitive advantage”
Being an alternative business structure (ABS) “definitely gives us an advantage as compared to a typical law firm”, according to the managing director of the unique practice founded by Cherie Blair QC. She said the firm was born from “a recognition of the gap between what law firms can provide and what clients want”.
High Court: Time to consider lowering burden of proof in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
It is time to consider lowering the burden of proof used by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal from the criminal to the civil standard, Sir Brian Leveson, the president of the Queen’s Bench Division has said. The case saw the tribunal criticised for using the criminal standard to overturn a decision made by the SRA on the civil standard.
First accountancy firm to create ABS takes on second licence
The top-30 accountancy firm which in 2013 was the first accountancy practice to acquire an alternative business structure (ABS) licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority has taken on a second licence from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Senior partner accepts fine for firm’s work on SDLT avoidance schemes
A senior partner whose firm’s involvement in stamp duty land tax avoidance schemes brought in £52,000 in fees – but cost the taxman at least £3m – has accepted a £1,500 fine. He failed to ensure the disclosure of material information to lender clients, and allowed the firm to act where there were conflicts of interest.
