LeO investigations of CMCs climbs towards 5,000 as it is warned about impact of PI reforms
The Legal Ombudsman has investigated almost 5,000 complaints about claims management companies in the two years since its jurisdiction was expanded to cover them. But it has been warned to expect a major influx of more complaints if the government’s personal injury reforms come to pass.
Fraudulent law firm trio sentenced to 14 years in jail
A solicitor, legal executive and non-lawyer consultant at a West Sussex-based law firm have been sentenced to over 14 years in prison after being found guilty of embezzling almost £700,000 of client funds over seven years. Sole principal Simon Kenny was also a deputy district judge.
Exclusive interview: Law Society president speaks out after chief executive’s resignation
There have been “frustrations” with the speed of governance reform at the Law Society, its president has admitted as he tried to calm the shock caused by the resignation earlier this month of its chief executive over that issue. But he also claimed the threat of losing its guaranteed funding was being used to “create fear” within the organisation.
Court of Appeal overturns finding that solicitor was fraudulent
The Court of Appeal has emphatically cleared a solicitor of fraud, expressing “some disquiet” at the trial judge’s findings to the contrary in an oil rig drilling case involving a $129m standby letter of credit. “Different legal minds may obviously take different views” on the legal question at the heart of the case, it said.
Publishing prices: SRA to start with divorce, wills, conveyancing and simple SME work
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is planning to require law firms to publish their fees for services such as divorce, wills or conveyancing, it has emerged. In line with the recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority, it will also look a few areas of business law, such as commercial leases.
Raise the small claims limit, say leading claimant PI lawyers with alternative reform plan
Leading claimant personal injury solicitors recognise that the small claims limit “needs to rise” but have called on the government to increase it to £1,600, rather than £5,000, and also require road traffic accidents to be notified within a year, as part of an alternative package of reforms.
Law Society’s FoI adjudicator criticises SRA in battle over Blacker documents
The Law Society’s freedom of information adjudicator has criticised the Solicitor Regulation Authority for giving an “unfortunate impression” that it is not committed to transparency because of the way it handled disclosure requests relating to struck-off solicitor Alan Blacker.
Law Society: technological innovation “will determine law firms’ success”
A typical law firm in the future will accommodate a new generation of disruptive technologies, such as virtual assistants, machine learning and automation, but legal services must not lose their human touch, a major Law Society report on technological innovation has urged.
Serial entrepreneur embraces unbundling with launch of ‘para-law firm’
A legal business which employs paralegals to handle straightforward work directly for clients while managing qualified lawyers on the advisory aspects of their case, has been launched by a serial legal services entrepreneur. He describes it as the UK’s first “para-law firm”.
Pioneering ABS sold to major firm in pre-pack deal
Pioneering alternative business structure Triton Global has been acquired by national law firm DWF in a pre-pack administration deal that saves all 215 jobs. Triton is a multi-disciplinary insurance business combining legal advice, claims administration and loss adjusting that became one of the first ABSs to introduce employee ownership.
