Use of fixed fees continues to rise but consumers still struggling to choose lawyer, survey finds
Nearly half of consumer legal services are provided on a fixed-fee basis, new research has found – but it said consumers are still being hampered by a lack of information to help them choose the right lawyer, leading to “lower levels of satisfaction and trust in legal services”.
Court of Appeal overturns solicitor’s convictions for money laundering
A solicitor’s convictions for money laundering have been overturned by the Court of Appeal in a case involving corrupt payments linked to a multi-million dollar UN medical aid contract for the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was convicted despite the judge finding him unfit to be cross-examined.
Tribunal allows paralegal’s discrimination claim against law firm to continue
A paralegal’s claim of disability discrimination after he was sacked by a law firm was wrongly struck out, the Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled. However, HHJ David Richardson said that Leicester firm Bond Adams had a strong case.
Exclusive: Horizontal integration in action as funeral director sets up ABS
A family-run firm of funeral directors with 36 branches has become the first of its kind to set up an alternative business structure. Lodge Brothers Legal Services, launched last week, offers fixed-fee services for clients wanting wills, probate and powers of attorney.
Former Solicitor-General among new ministers appointed to MoJ
The team under new Lord Chancellor Liz Truss at the Ministry of Justice took shape over the weekend with a clean slate of new ministers appointed. Sir Oliver Heald QC, who was Solicitor-General between 2012 and 2014, was named minister of state. He practised at the Bar for 20 years before being elected in 1992.
Public “more worried” about confidentiality breaches than solicitors
The public view information security failings at law firms more seriously than solicitors do, according to the “most surprising” outcome of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Question of Trust exercise. A “significant” number of lawyers said a balance needed to be struck between client confidentiality and taking files out of the office to work on.
Law Society and CLC clash on switching regulators
The Law Society and Council for Licensed Conveyancers have clashed plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to make it easier for law firms to switch regulator. The society warned that clients could be left without proper cover.
Law Society to spend £61m on new IT systems
The Law Society’s ruling council yesterday agreed to spend £61m over four years on new IT systems for both its representative and regulatory arms – although it is forecasting that savings generated will bring the net cost down to £37m. There will be “robust governance processes” around the work.
Pioneering council ABSs join forces to create biggest local authority legal team
The first local authority alternative business structure to be given a licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been taken over by the second. Lawyers at Buckinghamshire County Council have joined HB Public Law, making it the largest local authority legal team in the country.
All change at the Ministry of Justice under new PM
It is all change at the Ministry of Justice yesterday after accountant Liz Truss was named as the first woman Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, and it appeared that civil justice minister Lord Faulks was stepping down from his role.
