Brexit would damage lawyers’ access to single market, Treasury predicts
Lawyers will be worse off if the UK leaves the European Union because of a reduction in access to the single market, the analysis published yesterday by the Treasury has claimed. It said that lawyers have faced more trade barriers in the EU than any other professional services sector
“Boring” hearings or judges who interrupt? Neuberger knows what he likes
The written advocacy of continental European lawyers makes for “boring” court proceedings, according to the President of the Supreme Court. Lord Neuberger also said that well-paid advocates representing the rich had a responsibility to ensure access to justice for the poor.
Legal Ombudsman finally puts end to “irregular” staff benefits scheme
The flexible benefits scheme that saw Legal Ombudsman staff effectively paid hundreds of thousands of pounds on top of their salaries in the organisation’s first six years – until the government deemed the payments to be irregular – has been scrapped.
SRA fines solicitor who failed to report “serious misconduct” by colleagues
A solicitor who failed to report “serious misconduct” by other members of staff at former Yorkshire firm Legal Development Partners has been fined £2,000. He admitted that he had also allowed his independence to be compromised by allowing “unqualified third parties” to control and influence the firm.
Conveyancers on both sides held liable for fraud in landmark case
The conveyancers on both sides of a property fraud have been found jointly liable for the £470,000 loss suffered by the buyer. The ruling of His Honour Judge Pelling QC, sitting as a High Court judge, is the first authority on the obligations owed by a seller’s solicitor to a purchaser.
Law firms, charities and other claimant groups gear up to fight government PI reforms
A coalition of leading claimant solicitors, charities and others in the personal injury market have come together to fight the government’s whiplash reforms – and is calling on the 2,700 PI firms in England and Wales to back the cause. It is promising a “properly funded, co-ordinated and directed strategic campaign”.
Training provider sues Law Society over “anti-competitive” CQS rule
A training provider is suing the Law Society for “six-figure damages” over its claim that Chancery Lane is acting anti-competitively by requiring law firms to buy its training in order to maintain their Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation.
SDT strikes off convicted solicitor at third time of asking
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has struck off a solicitor convicted of a serious offence after he was allowed to continue in practice following two previous appearances before the tribunal for accounts rules breaches. It conceded that a warning given on his second SDT appearance had been ineffective.
Court of Appeal orders retrial over aggregation of claims against solicitors
The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court ruling that had protected law firms from financial risk through restricting the way professional indemnity insurers could aggregate multiple claims. However, the case is not over as it has been sent for retrial.
Change afoot at QualitySolicitors as it puts focus on conversion of online leads
Law firm network QualitySolicitors yesterday announced a greater focus on lead conversion, along with a change in leadership to drive it. CEO Eddie Ross is to leave next month and be replaced by Ben Greco, managing director of property services firm Move with Us.
