PI firm adds ABS licence in dash for “spectacular” growth
A Lancashire personal injury firm that has grown from four to 100 staff in under four years and its turnover to £4.5m, has acquired an alternative business structure licence as part of ambitious growth plans.
Criminal solicitors’ chief tells ‘scab’ firms to “hang their heads in shame”
The chairman of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association has hit out at law firms that sought to take advantage of their rivals’ absence from court during Monday’s morning of action against the legal aid cuts.
Referral fees at root of junior barristers’ woes, says Bar Council
An increasing tendency among solicitors to pay referral fees to each other and to use solicitor-advocates is diverting work away from junior barristers, ultimately threatening the quality of the judiciary, according to the Bar Council.
SRA tells uninsured firms to “come clean”
It is unclear how many of the 116 firms that were meant to have shut down last week for failing to secure professional indemnity insurance have actually done so, the Solicitors Regulation Authority admitted yesterday.
Bullying at work on the rise, says lawyer support charity
Almost one in five lawyers complaining of stress are being bullied in the workplace, according to the latest statistics from the legal support charity LawCare, which also showed a large year-on-year increase in callers overall.
LegalZoom eyes acquisitions after taking major private equity investment
LegalZoom – the online US legal services business that recently launched in the UK – has strengthened its financial position by selling a large chunk of the business to leading European private equity company Permira.
Probe into growth of ‘professional’ McKenzie Friends
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has begun an investigation into the emergence of ‘professional’ McKenzie Friends who charge litigants in person for their services, it has emerged.
BSB considers conduct of litigation “high risk” for barristers
The Bar Standards Board considers barristers conducting litigation a high-risk activity that could result in significant supervision costs and require a hike in practising certificate fees, it has emerged.
Riverview teams up with Legal OnRamp to tackle global bank challenge
Riverview Law has announced a collaboration with US technology pioneer Legal OnRamp to offer a service that can cope with massive regulatory burdens imposed on financial institutions to avoid a repeat of the 2008 banking crisis.
LeO fights off first JR as it warns over dangers of ‘no win, no fee’
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has fought off the first judicial review to reach court, brought by a former solicitor unhappy that it had ordered his bill to be slashed. The case, involving a CFA, comes as LeO issues a report outlining problems caused by ‘no win, no fee’ deals.
