SRA closes three South East law firms in two days
The Solicitors Regulation Authority closed three law firms in London and Essex in just two days last week, giving suspected dishonesty as a reason for each separate intervention.
“Do not dismiss ABSs,” Lord Judge tells criminal law barristers
Lord Judge, the former Lord Chief Justice, has warned criminal law barristers that the “old-fashioned chambers structures must be reconsidered” and they must not dismiss alternative business structures “out of hand”.
Barrister entrepreneur launches drafting service for lawyers
Barrister entrepreneur William Rees has launched an online drafting service aimed at mainly at solicitors in small firms. The business provides “customised templates”, which aim to be more tailored to lawyers’ requirements and individual cases than traditional precedents.
BSB to “consider future” of Bar Professional Training Course
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) launched its ‘future Bar training’ programme this morning, which includes “considering the future of the Bar Professional Training Course” (BPTC).
Law firms and chambers told to up their game on diversity or face “nuclear” option of quotas
Law firms and chambers need to accelerate the increase in workforce diversity if they are to ward off the “nuclear” option of quotas being imposed, the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) has warned.
LSB must “knock heads together” to lower burden of proof in disciplinary proceedings
The Legal Services Board must “knock heads together” to replace the criminal burden of proof in disciplinary proceedings involving solicitors and barristers with the civil standard, the chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said.
Grieve tells Grayling on being Lord Chancellor: “It helps to be a lawyer”
Dominic Grieve MP, the former Attorney General, has made it clear that he believes there are advantages in the Lord Chancellor being a lawyer. He was responding to comments by Chris Grayling that there were “no disadvantages” in his lack of legal qualifications.
Ex-Halliwells partners win immunity from liquidator claims
Nine partners who left Halliwells shortly before it collapsed have won a High Court declaration that liquidators cannot pursue them for £125,000 each in alleged overdrawings.
LSB backs rules to prevent large organisations claiming on compensation fund
The Legal Services Board has approved the introduction of restrictions that prevent large organisations from making claims on the Solicitors Compensation Fund. Claims will only be considered if they are made by individuals, small businesses, small charities or small trusts.
MoJ’s top mandarin under fire from MPs for failing to release report on future of crime firms
Dame Ursula Brennan, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, faced angry questions from opposition MPs yesterday as to why a highly critical report on the criminal legal aid cuts had only been released last month – more than a year after it was finished.
