Grayling promises crackdown on criminal law referral fees
Justice secretary Chris Grayling has promised criminal law barristers that the government will “take measures” to strengthen the Legal Aid Agency’s ban on solicitors demanding referral fees.
Here come the Americans: LegalZoom gains ABS licence
US online legal services provider LegalZoom – which claims to be the best-known legal brand in America – has today become the first US business to be licensed as an alternative business structure.
Law Society questions value of cab-rank rule
The Law Society has responded to a Bar Standards Board call for evidence on the cab-rank rule by questioning its “operational value”. A survey of solicitors who regularly use barristers found that only one person had actually invoked the rule.
CMCs which break the rules face huge fines
Claims management companies (CMCs) which break the rules this year face potentially huge fines – of up to 20% for those with an annual turnover of more than £500,000. Smaller CMCs can be fined up to £100,000.
Exclusive: Quindell Legal Services chief departs
The chief executive of Quindell plc’s legal services division has left the company, it has emerged. The news comes in the wake of the ABS’s announcement that it is in talks to sell one of its operating divisions to generate cash.
SRA fines firm £2,000 for role in stamp duty avoidance schemes
A small firm in Hertfordshire has become the latest law firm to be fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for its involvement in stamp duty land tax (SDLT) avoidance schemes.
LeO: law firms should issue two retainers to consumer credit clients
Law firms should issue two separate retainers to clients where they are provided with consumer credit as well as purely legal services, the Legal Ombudsman has suggested.
Artificial intelligence in the law moves step closer as Riverview teams up with top academics
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the legal market has moved a step closer after Riverview Law teamed up with Liverpool University to leverage the university’s leading AI expertise.
Senior partner who became direct access barrister sets up alternative business structure
David Hassall, a senior partner turned barrister whose career mirrors recent changes in legal services, has set up an alternative business structure – which he intends to operate on a ‘John Lewis’ profit share model.
Failure to undertake CPD will be “aggravating factor” in investigations, SRA warns
Failure to undertake continuous professional development will be an “aggravating factor” when enforcement decisions are made against those guilty of incompetence, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said.
