Public access barristers join forces with debt solutions business to offer fixed-fee representation
A group of public access barristers have formed a partnership with a debt solutions company to provide debtors with fixed-fee court representation that they could otherwise not afford. The co-founder of Debt Rescue Solutions said its clients faced a “total inequality of arms” when representing themselves.
Call for chambers rent rebates so male barristers can share parental leave
The Bar Standards Board is to investigate whether male barristers with new-born children should be entitled to a form of shared parental leave, with the Bar Council calling for provisions which would give them a rent rebate from their chambers while not working.
Solicitor struck off for fabricating litigation and taking money from another client to pay ‘damages’
A solicitor who pretended to be carrying out litigation, providing email updates on a case which did not exist, has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal said Stephanie Berry argued that her cognitive abilities had been impaired, but provided no evidence.
Exclusive: SRA has not yet referred Leigh Day to tribunal over Iraq inquiry
Three months after announcing that it was referring Leigh Day to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has still not filed the papers, Legal Futures can reveal. The firm is at the centre of a political controversy over its conduct in the Al-Sweady inquiry.
Clock ticking on law firms that fail to focus on customer service, research warns
There is a “disturbing level of tunnel vision” among law firms when it comes to adopting modern customer service standards, which could ultimately make the difference between success and failure, according to a report published today. It said that in an ever competitive market, law firms that are not thriving may only have a brief chance to turn things around before it is too late.
Susskind: online court should not seek to exclude lawyers
Eliminating lawyers from the dispute resolution process should not be one of the aims of the online court (OC), the group that first proposed it has told Lord Justice Briggs. At the same time, it said the OC should be seen as paving the way for a court service that is “a blend of online service and conventional courtroom activity”.
Gateley uses share power to acquire tax incentives business
Gateley has made its first acquisition as a listed company, using shares to finance part of the £2.7m purchase of specialist tax incentives advisory business Capitus. The business, which is to be renamed Gateley Capitus, made a £593,000 profit on a £1.38m turnover in its last financial year.
Solicitor who overcharged his clients “in the most despicable way” is struck off
A solicitor who charged one client 50 times the estimate of £2,000 and another £100,000 in fees on a probate matter on which he could “recall no detail at all”, has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The SDT said Edgar Thomas had “blatantly abused his position of trust in the most despicable way”.
New PI marketing collective bids to make splash with £12m backing from firms
A new not-for-profit personal injury marketing collective with 20 law firms stumping up £600,000 each to create a £12m budget is set to go live shortly in a bid to disrupt the market. The collective has been put together with well-known legal digital marketing agency mmadigital.
Innovation is not the Holy Grail, SDT tells Legal Services Board
The Legal Services Board gives the impression that it values innovation and market development above all things, including “the necessary protective role of regulation” when it goes wrong, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has said.
