High Court rejects solicitor’s bid to remove conditions on practising certificate
The High Court has rejected a solicitor’s bid to overturn conditions placed on his practising certificate by the Solicitors Regulation Authority – but also criticised the regulator for the time it has taken to act in the case. The court said there was “a very real risk” that the solicitor had allowed his client account to be used as a bank account.
Making lawyers publish “average” prices will energise consumers, says panel
The Legal Services Consumer Panel said last week that it was “not blind to the challenges of increased price transparency”, but insisted that making lawyers publish “average” prices could be the catalyst for making consumers ask more questions about cost.
LSB declines to produce the “right” answer on indemnity insurance
The Legal Services Board has shied away from recommending a single solution which all the legal regulators should follow on indemnity insurance. The LSB instead called on the regulators to work more closely together on the issue.
First probate, now tax work – accountants set to go head to head with solicitors
Accountants are set to go head to head with lawyers for tax work after the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales yesterday formally applied for the right to allow members to conduct reserved legal activities. The institute said the move would be in the interests of consumers.
LSB pushes for fully independent regulators to prevent professional bodies resisting reforms
The Legal Services Board has argued more strongly than ever that professional bodies must be fully separated from regulators. In a letter to the justice select committee, Sir Michael Pitt, chairman of the LSB, argued that there was scope under existing arrangements for them to “resist reforms”.
Overseas model for Briggs’ online court goes live
The online small claims court expected to be the model for England and Wales was launched in Canada last week when the Act moving it from voluntary to mandatory claims came into force. The value threshold for claims will eventually will rise to those up to C$25,000 (£14,610).
Jail for cashier at major City firm who stole nearly £750,000 in FX fraud
A cashier who took nearly £750,000 from City law firm Ince & Co’s office account has been jailed for more than three years. Juliette Holland, 46, from Hockley, Essex pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment at Basildon Crown Court.
Fairpoint trains focus on “higher-growth, lower-margin” legal services business
AIM-listed Fairpoint Group is set to become almost entirely a legal services business after announcing that it will stop offering debt management plans – which was once a key part of its business. It said that from next year the group would focus on its “higher-growth legal services segment”.
Lawyer-matching service aims to recruit 20,000 clients, says solicitor founder
A lawyer-matching service to be launched by a Manchester solicitor next month aims to recruit 15,000 to 20,000 clients by the end of the year. Kid Harwood, director of Lawbid, said the service wanted to change the “balance of power” for consumers.
Solicitor who let wife make improper transfers from firm’s client account is suspended
A solicitor who allowed his wife to make improper transfers from his firm’s client account has been suspended by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
