Former big firm managing partners opt for ABS
A Bath-based legal services business run by two former managing partners of large firms – Withy King and CMS Cameron McKenna – has obtained an alternative business structure licence to bring regulated legal work in-house. OmniaLegal describes itself as a “legal services co-operative with a difference”.
Tribunal fines barrister who pestered women at chambers summer party
A barrister who pestered three women at a chambers summer party with suggestive movements and comments has been fined £1,800 by a Bar disciplinary tribunal. It said he failed to act with integrity and behaved in a way likely to diminish the trust and confidence the public places in a barrister or the profession.
Smaller law firms feeling vulnerable, with almost all expecting “rough times ahead”
There is a “climate of renewed vulnerability” among smaller law firms, with the vast majority of lawyers believing there are “still rough times ahead”, a report has found. The report also revealed a huge gulf between lawyer and client perceptions of value.
Tribunal “appalled and dismayed” by SRA’s approach to prosecuting solicitor
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has slammed a prosecution by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in the strongest terms, saying it was “appalled and dismayed” that the regulator had asked it to “rubber stamp” a deal which saw charges of dishonesty dropped at the last minute after the solicitor accused made certain admissions.
DAS Law launches graduate academy as staff numbers top 200
DAS Law – the alternative business structure set up by the eponymous legal expenses insurer – is launching a pioneering graduate academy for “lawyers of the future”, with the first six recruits starting next month. Staff numbers at the firm have doubled to around 220 since it was created in 2013.
CLC consults on open market indemnity scheme in bid to attract solicitors
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is planning to introduce solicitor-style indemnity insurance arrangements, in a bid to make it easier for law firms to switch regulator. Embracing an open market scheme instead of a master policy would help “make a reality” of the “theoretical” freedom of law firms to change.
APIL to launch campaign against CMC cold-calling
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers is set to launch a campaign to persuade the government to ban claims management companies from cold-calling consumers over potential claims. ‘Can the spam’ is part of the push to convince ministers that there are other ways of tackling problems in the PI industry short of the reforms it is proposing.
Solicitor who failed to provide breath test is fined
A solicitor convicted of failing to provide police with a breath test has been fined £2,500 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Arguing that there was no case to answer, Olufemi Olujinmi said regulation should have a “human face” and the incident should be treated as a “moment of madness”.
Faulks holds firm on PI reforms but promises to “hold insurers’ feet to the fire” on lower premiums
The government consultation on further reforms to personal injury will not be published until after the EU referendum and will be implemented in 2017, the civil justice minister indicated today as he gave no ground on the measures to be put forward.
“Massive space” for unregulated firms to advise SMEs, says head of online service
The founder of an unregulated law firm offering advice to SMEs has said there is a “massive space” for similar companies to move into the market. Robert Taylor, founder of Business Law Online, said small businesses wanted a “much more commercial” approach.
