Demise of Veyo is “green light” for Free2Convey, LSSA chair says
The demise of the Law Society and Mastek’s online conveyancing portal Veyo gives the “green light” to rival system Free2Convey, the chair of the Legal Software Suppliers Association has said. Matt Lancaster said Free2Convey could now become the “central conveyancing portal”.
Soldier turned solicitor sets up ABS with former special forces officer
A soldier turned solicitor has set up an alternative business structure with a former special forces officer. Proelium Law aims to provide commercial law, international law and security advice to businesses and other organisations wanting to operate in conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
Millions lost as Law Society and Mastek scrap Veyo
The Law Society and Indian technology giant Mastek have decided to scrap online conveyancing portal Veyo, at a cost to the profession which has so far been confirmed at more than £3m but is likely to be much higher. The society said it was “deeply sorry” that conveyancers who had “waited patiently” for the product would not be able to use it.
SRA to research competence of personal injury lawyers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to launch a research project on the “competence” of personal injury lawyers, it has emerged. The research will examine the “decisions and processes implemented by firms to respond to legislative and market changes”.
Two solicitors rebuked for breaches of referral fee ban
Two personal injury solicitors have been sanctioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for breaches of the referral fee ban. One was rebuked and fined £2,000 – the most the regulator could levy without a referral to a disciplinary tribunal – while the other was simply rebuked.
Survey: Public want justice system to modernise faster to improve access
The public believes that the legal system should be modernised faster than is happening at present, with many feeling “the justice system has retained tradition at the expense of efficiency”, new research has found. Education about the law and legal process, and simplifying legal language were also keys to improving access to justice.
Separation would be better for both of us, SRA leaders tell Law Society
The leaders of the Solicitors Regulation Authority have made it clear that they believe it would be better for the public and the profession if they had complete independence from the Law Society. They were responding to the Treasury’s announcement earlier this week on independent regulation.
SDT fines directors of firm that used legal aid payments to stay afloat
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has fined or reprimanded the directors of a law firm for using legal aid disbursement payments to keep the practice afloat, after the economic recession and a merger put it under financial pressure. But it emerged during the hearing at the end of September that if payments owing to the firm had been made promptly, it would have been well within its bank overdraft.
Law firm and charity joint ABS “changing behaviours” in spinal injury cases
On its first anniversary, Aspire Law, a unique alternative business structure set up by Hampshire solicitors Moore Blatch and national spinal injury charity Aspire, has good reason to be cheerful. Twelve months on, the joint venture has grown to the point where it is challenging established players in this niche part of the serious injury market.
New figures highlight difficulties of finding pupillage as diversity of Bar students increases
The number of students on the Bar Professional Training Course from Asian backgrounds has increased to the point where it almost equals the number of white students, new figures have revealed. The figures have also highlighted the tiny number of students with lower second degrees who secure a pupillage.
