Exclusive: Clerksroom chosen for nationwide commercial dispute resolution service
National chambers Clerksroom has announced a partnership with a not-for-profit business that describes itself as the biggest multi-sector ombudsman in the UK, to provide commercial dispute resolution services for up to 10,000 businesses. It could be the biggest mediation opportunity to arise in the UK to date.
Riverview steps up AI focus with deal to buy US tech business
Riverview Law has completed a “multi-million” pound deal to buy an American knowledge automation business as part of its plans to develop the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal market. It said the deal to buy CliXLEX was a “major step” towards the creation of ‘virtual assistants’
Our turn to say sorry: Legal Ombudsman apologises over ADR change of heart
The Legal Ombudsman has apologised to solicitors for any inconvenience caused after it abandoned plans to become a certified alternative dispute resolution body without a full consultation. LeO said it would “decide how to proceed” in December.
Bullish Slater & Gordon claims “commanding market share lead” in UK
Slater & Gordon has “a commanding market share lead” in the UK, its managing director claimed today as the Australian-listed law firm announced a 27% in annual revenues to £243m. Its ever-expanding UK operation contributed £121m of this.
Rural demand for one-stop shop leads accountants to become ABS
A firm of accountants based in rural East Anglia has become an alternative business structure regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Churchgate Accountants said the move was in response to demand from clients, including farmers.
Law Society president defends chief executive over role at NHSLA as fees fight looms
Jonathan Smithers, president of the Law Society, has described chief executive Catherine Dixon as “fully committed” to ensuring that medical negligence lawyers are “fairly rewarded” under any new fee regime imposed by the government, despite her previous role on the other side of the fence.
SDT strikes out case against solicitors after SRA failures make fair trial “impossible”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has taken the highly unusual step of striking out for abuse of process the prosecution of five solicitors, after finding that the actions of the Solicitors Regulation Authority had made it impossible for them to have a fair trial.
Bottom of the class: 15% of solicitors failed to do their minimum CPD hours last year
An online poll of 900 solicitors by the Law Society has revealed that 15% failed to do 16 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) last year – the minimum required. The poll found that 17% had already moved to the new hours-free ‘continuing competence’ regime.
“Fundamentally decent” partner broke rules to keep firm afloat while waiting for legal aid payments
A former president of Bolton Law Society, described by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal as a “fundamentally decent man”, made 61 improper transfers from client account and used a personal credit card to keep his firm afloat. He is now working as a paralegal for the deputy vice-president of the national Law Society.
‘List of defaulting solicitors’ will be scrapped, LSB confirms
Plans by the Bar Standards Board to scrap its ‘list of defaulting solicitors’ have been approved by the Legal Services Board. Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the LSB, said the list could undermine the independence of the BSB.
