Training reforms no “panacea for diversity”, SRA report warns
The training reforms unveiled last week by the Solicitors Regulation Authority are “not a panacea for diversity” though they could make a “significant contribution”, a report for the regulator has concluded. The report also warned that the arrival of the solicitors qualifying examination in 2020 would make the training market “more complex to navigate”.
Academic “debunks” claim that UK is whiplash capital of Europe
The claim by insurers that the UK is the “whiplash capital of Europe” is a flimsy one based on unreliable data that has been cherry picked to support “specific reform agendas”, an academic has argued. He said this cast doubt on suggestions that fraudulent or exaggerated whiplash claims are common.
BSB paves way to lower standard of proof in disciplinary matters
The Bar Standards Board has opened the way to replace the criminal standard of proof in disciplinary matters with the civil standard, in a move that could well ripple across the profession amid growing pressure to adopt the civil standard uniformly.
High Court rejects appeal from barrister accused of forging letters
A barrister accused of forging client care letters has lost an appeal against his disbarment at the High Court. Mrs Justice Lang rejected Damian McCarthy’s argument that a Bar disciplinary tribunal was under pressure from the Bar Standards Board to convict him.
Court of Appeal orders controversial firm to compensate ex-miner for negligence
The Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that Raleys – the controversial but now defunct Barnsley law firm – should not have to compensate a miner who argued that its admitted negligence had caused him to settle a claim at an undervalue. Otherwise, it would be “far too easy for negligent solicitors to raise huge obstacles to claimants”.
ABS targets continued expansion as ‘second cities’ strategy and non-legal services see turnover rocket
Fast-growing alternative business structure Knights Professional Services is on the look-out for its next acquisition and ‘second city’ location – as well as more non-legal services – after unveiling an increase of more than 60% in turnover over the past year to £33.5m.
Inmate wins damages after prisons open legally privileged letters
A prisoner has been awarded damages after officers at three different prisons where he was held opened legally privileged letters addressed to him. Sitting in the High Court, His Honour Judge McKenna said the fear of having his mail opened and read had deterred the inmate from pursuing his rights.
Slater & Gordon yet to pay any deferred consideration to Quindell vendor
Slater & Gordon has yet to pay the company that used to be Quindell any deferred consideration from the 53,000 noise-induced hearing loss cases it bought, it emerged yesterday. It has also not launched the legal action against Watchstone Group that it announced seven months ago.
Law firm fee income up by 6%, benchmarking survey finds
The financial performance of smaller law firms has improved over last year, with both fee income and profits up significantly above inflation, according to an annual benchmarking survey published this week. Very little increase in salary costs, improved lock-up, and reductions in both WIP and debtor days contributed to the positive picture.
Report: unmet legal need puts heat on MPs’ surgeries
Constituents are increasingly seeing legal advice at MPs’ surgeries, while more than a third of legal problems involve housing and almost a quarter immigration, according to an assessment of unmet legal need in London. MPs across the political spectrum had become aware of rising legal need, it found.
