Third law firm fined for involvement in SDLT avoidance scheme
A third law firm has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for its involvement in a stamp duty avoidance scheme operated by Inventive Tax Strategies.
City law firm in dash to add artificial intelligence to software robots
City law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner is in discussions with a specialist provider of artificial intelligence computing to improve its ability to search documents in the field of commercial contracts.
FCA agrees to another extension on consumer credit regulation
The regulation of solicitors’ consumer credit work by the Financial Conduct Authority has been postponed again. It has agreed to an SRA request extent the current transitional arrangements until 31 October.
Gunnercooke-backed Ignition Law launches with start-ups and SMEs in its sights
A new firm which aims to break the mould of advice to start-ups and SMEs by recruiting lawyers who run their own businesses has opened in London. It is operating as a trading name of ‘virtual firm’ gunnercooke
Home buyers dissatisfied with conveyancers and moving process, survey finds
There is considerable unhappiness among home buyers and sellers with conveyancers and the speed of the moving process, new research has found. More than 40% of consumers were unsure or unlikely to offer them repeat business.
Court of Appeal: BSB official “blind to any sense of fairness” in disciplinary prosecution
The Court of Appeal has criticised in the strongest language the behaviour of an official at the Bar Standards Board responsible for “subverting the rules” on disclosure in a case that led to a barrister being disbarred.
National Accident Helpline sees revenue and enquiries rise sharply
AIM-listed National Accident Helpline plc (NAH) saw income rise by just over 10% in 2014 on the back of a significant increase in enquiries, it reported yesterday.
SRA resorts to outsourcing after 49% increase in tribunal referrals
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been forced to rely on outsourcing and recruit more staff after a 49% surge in referrals to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. It has also identified a series of emerging risks, including public sector cuts.
Big fall in firms heading for closure after failing to find indemnity insurance
A total of 49 firms are heading for closure after failing to secure indemnity insurance, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said. This compares with 138 which were forced to shut for the same reason last year.
Exclusive: in-house lawyers complain about firms failing to offer pricing options
Large corporate clients are demanding “far more” fixed fee and ‘menu’ pricing, but are having to push firms into providing it, a survey based on interviews with 40 in-house teams and 50 top 100 law firms has found.
