SRA stays on report over ABS licensing
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to remain on report over its performance in licensing alternative business structures until it outlines how it will stop making “disproportionate” requests for information from applicants, it has emerged.
Emerging countries and business will lead UK on court technology, experts say
Emerging countries and large corporations will lead the way on court technology while the UK and USA lag behind, experts at the Global Law Summit in London have predicted just a week after the Civil Justice Council unveiled its blueprint for online dispute resolution.
Quindell shares jump on positive news of Slater & Gordon deal
Alternative business structure Quindell plc indicated today that progress is being made on Slater & Gordon’s acquisition of its legal arm. The AIM-listed company’s shares jumped by 40% in early trading as a result.
Survey: smaller law firms punching above their weight online
Eight of the ten most successful law firms at showcasing their expertise online and distributing it via social media fall outside of the UK’s top 50, even though as a whole there is a lot more that large firms can do to improve their standing on Twitter, new research has found.
BSB eyes loosening constraints on design of both BPTC and pupillages
The Bar Standards Board has said that there is no need for the Bar Professional Training Course to be delivered as “one, integrated course”, and is also set to give chambers and employers more freedom to design pupillages.
New lender launches first panel limited to Conveyancing Association firms
A new buy-to-let lender, Fleet Mortgages, has created the first law firm panel made up only of members of the Conveyancing Association. CA chairman Eddie Goldsmith said he had held talks with others about a similar move.
Lawyers using libel threats to “intimidate” clients who post negative reviews online
Lawyers are increasingly using threats of libel action to intimidate clients into taking down negative reviews from comparison websites, it was claimed yesterday by a member of the Legal Services Consumer Panel.
Put duty on all legal services regulators to promote economic growth, says SRA
All the legal services regulators should under a new duty to “have regard to the desirability of promoting economic growth”, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said. They should also appoint small business champions.
Court Appeal overturns ruling that law firm wrongly paid out £2.3m from client account
The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision that a Sussex law firm wrongly paid out £2.28m it had received from a group of investors in what turned out to be a doomed airport investment scheme.
Survey reveals poor morale of public sector lawyers
Fewer than half the lawyers in central and local government are satisfied with their jobs and only a third with their pay, research by the Law Society has revealed.
