LSB chief tells regulators: You have to justify continuing existence of rules
Legal regulators need to justify the continuing existence of their rules, and not wait for others to argue that they are not needed, the chief executive of the Legal Services Board has said. Richard Moriarty also urged the legal profession to “redouble” its efforts to innovate.
Exclusive: LSB chief executive cools talk of move to single regulator
The prospect of a single regulator for the legal market has dimmed after the new chief executive of the Legal Services Board distanced himself from the idea. Richard Moriarty was giving his first interview since taking over from Chris Kenny in February.
MoJ spending on consultants and temporary staff hits £200m as sick days reach double figures
The Ministry of Justice spent over £200m on consultants and temporary staff in the last financial year – a rise of almost £40m on the year before, it has emerged. Average sick days across the department have risen to over 10 for each member of staff.
Another barrier falls as Government Legal Service opens doors to chartered legal executives
The Government Legal Service has decided to open its lawyer job vacancies to fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives for the first time. The first job being advertised is a £53,196 position as lawyer at HM Revenue & Customs.
“Taking the greed out of the legal market” – Pure Legal targets law firm acquisitions
The new legal business set up by the founder of Compass Costs – who became head of Quindell Legal Services after it bought Compass – is set to buy two law firms as it expands rapidly as part of a strategy to “take the greed out of the market” by going head to head with claims management companies and other work providers.
High Court stops disgruntled claimant pursuing lawyers in Hendrix case
The ghost of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix loomed large in the High Court yesterday when a judge struck out claims against senior lawyers and imposed a civil restraint order on the claimant, in the latest twist of long-running litigation over his musical legacy.
Referral fees in criminal cases could lead to “arrest chasing”
Removing the ban on referral fees in criminal cases could lead to “arrest chasing” by solicitors, the Bar Council has warned, and result in “as much public opprobrium” as ambulance chasing. However, the Bar Council backed third-party accounts for solicitors.
SDT: insurance application errors “carelessness not misconduct”
Two partners have been cleared by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal of misconduct relating to errors and omissions in their firm’s application for indemnity insurance, and unusually were allowed to maintain their anonymity throughout.
Revealed: LeO staff will not be forced to repay “irregular” benefits
Staff working for the Legal Ombudsman will not have to repay hundreds of thousands of pounds of “irregular” benefits they received from their employer, it has been decided. Having sought advice from the Treasury Solicitor, its board agreed that “repayment should not be pursued”.
Law Society: “Piecemeal” SRA reforms could create “perverse incentives”
The Law Society has launched a sustained attack on plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to introduce third-party accounts, allow referral fees in legal aid cases and remove the requirement on firms to carry out reserved activities.
