Direct Line secures ABS licence as rival insurer wins major contract for legal services arm
Direct Line’s new alternative business structure is set to launch on 3 March after receiving its alternative business structure licence, the insurer announced today. Meanwhile, BGL Group – the first insurance company to buy a law firm – has revealed a major client win.
Jordans’ ABS will “help, and not compete, with company’s law firm clients”
The alternative business structure (ABS) set up by Jordans – the company best known for its company formation services and legal textbooks – is looking to work with its existing law firm clients as an outsourcer, not compete with them, its CEO emphasised this week.
New Bar Council chief hits out at LSB independence investigation
The Legal Services Board made “a mountain out of a molehill” with its investigation into Bar Council interference with its independent regulator, the new chairman of the Bar has claimed.
The future of working in law: ‘agile’ lawyers, entrepreneurs and smaller firms
The legal profession is poised on the brink of an employment revolution that will unleash a “pent-up productivity” which will bring it into line with other industries, a report has claimed.
Will-writing body set for rule change after report questions value of pre-paid probate plans
The Society of Will Writers is set to adopt a code of conduct change that will prevent its members from taking advance payments for acting in the administration of a client’s estate after research found few benefits for consumers.
QualitySolicitors’ investor eyes further acquisitions and larger network
The private equity firm behind QualitySolicitors (QS) is eyeing up further acquisitions in the legal market and also thinks the network can quadruple in size, we can reveal. Further, QS is putting the days of headline-grabbing advertisements in primetime television slots behind it.
Leading PI firm increases upfront payment to clients to £2,000
High-profile personal injury law firm Hampson Hughes has defied widespread concern about the use of inducements to attract clients by upping the amount it offers from £1,500 to £2,000.
Lawyers and regulators reject LSB plan to direct future of education and training
Responses to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) legal education and training framework have revealed broad opposition to its proposal to invoke statutory powers to ensure frontline regulators fall into line behind the LSB’s vision.
SRA faces ‘timebomb’ of risk from foreign lawyers, says Italian who learnt from rule breaches
An Italian lawyer has warned of a ‘timebomb’ of regulatory risk among foreign lawyers practising in England and Wales, and urged European law firms to ensure they understood what was required to comply with conduct rules.
First the Ashes, now the solicitors’ PII market – Aussie insurer grabs biggest share
QBE has taken over as the leading insurer of solicitors, figures released yesterday by the Solicitors Regulation Authority have revealed. Between QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd and two Lloyd’s syndicates, the Australian-based insurer secured 18.2% of the premiums paid.
