Lord Hodge: I don’t agree with Sumption about women judges
Lord Hodge, the justice of the Supreme Court representing Scotland, has made it clear that he does not agree with Lord Sumption’s view that it could take 50 years to achieve gender equality in the judiciary. Lord Hodge also said he disagreed with Lady Hale over the issue of positive discrimination.
SRA bid to regulate the unregulated blocked – for now
The Legal Services Board has put a temporary block on plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to widen its net to cover providers that do not need to be regulated. It said the reforms “could be seen as a significant shift in the regulation of legal services”.
In-house lawyers “bashed up” by Gove must consider compulsory pro bono, says head of GC 100
In-house lawyers, “bashed up” by justice secretary Michael Gove over the issue of pro bono, should have an “open debate” about making it compulsory, the chair of the GC100 Group has said. He was speaking during a panel debate to mark the start of National Pro Bono Week.
Leading criminal silk part of chambers’ group setting up ABS
The barrister who defended one of the killers of Drummer Lee Rigby is involved in setting up an alternative business structure (ABS) with another member of his chambers and two senior staff.
Solicitor who conducted “fictitious” litigation set to face disciplinary tribunal
A solicitor who last year was found by the High Court to have duped his client by conducting “fictitious” litigation that included faked judgments and telephone conferences involving the impersonation of his senior partner and of leading counsel, has been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
ABS update: NewLaw owner completes acquisition while Metamorph Law plans five deals in 2016
The listed company that owns NewLaw Solicitors has completed its acquisition of a fleet accident management group that itself has a joint venture alternative business structure (ABS) with NewLaw. Meanwhile, would-be ABS Metamorph Law will shortly have a £4m warchest that will enable it to buy at least five firms next year.
Join them to beat them: Law Society urges firms to use ABS to compete with accountants
Rather than feeling threatened by accountants’ move into legal services, law firms should set up alternative business structures (ABS) and compete with them, the president of the Law Society has said. Jonathan Smithers said: “The success of ABS to date indicates that clients are generally not concerned about sourcing their legal services from non-lawyers.”
SRA: clients may not need “detailed information” where work is referred to firms’ separate businesses
Clients may not need detailed information about separate businesses when work is referred to them by their law firm owners, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said. The Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned that the new separate business rule could leave consumers in the dark.
Insisting on a 2:1 degree for barristers “could discriminate against BAME students”
Insisting on an upper second class degree for future barristers could impose a “discriminatory burden” on BAME students, who are less likely to obtain them, a leading academic has argued in response to a Bar Standards Board consultation that raises the possibility.
Free2Convey to be available “in next few weeks”
Free2Convey, the free conveyancing portal developed by the Legal Software Suppliers Association, is to be available “in the next few weeks”, it has emerged. Julian Bryan, managing partner of Quill Pinpoint, said it would be ready before Veyo.
