Firm broken up after failing to secure indemnity insurance
Harris Cartier – a 26-lawyer niche litigation and corporate practice with offices in London and Slough – has become the first firm to be placed into administration following the failure to arrange professional indemnity insurance for 1 October.
Comparison site aims exclusively at SME market
A comparison website claiming to be the first UK service dedicated to matching businesses to lawyers has been launched, and includes customer ratings at the end of every engagement.
Addleshaws lays out future vision: fewer lawyers, fewer firms, new business models
The legal market of 2020 will have 25% fewer lawyers and 20% fewer firms, with new business models and disruptive legal technologies sitting at the core of the provision of legal services, leading firm Addleshaw Goddard has predicted.
Reshuffle leads to shake-up in ministerial briefs at MoJ
There has been a shake-up of ministerial responsibilities at the Ministry of Justice following this week’s reshuffle, it was confirmed yesterday. Shailesh Vara has been given responsibility for civil justice and legal services, and has also been handed legal aid.
Government funding boosts ABS’s major growth plan
Alternative business structure NewLaw Solicitors is to grow by 25% after receiving finance from the Welsh government to help it expand. The firm is to recruit 86 people in its Cardiff headquarters.
BSB lays out plan to take forward LETR
The Bar Standards Board has become the first frontline regulator to map out how it will take forward the Legal Education & Training Review (LETR). Earlier this week the BSB and Solicitors Regulation Authority were criticised for not collaborating on taking forward the LETR.
QASA claimants granted costs cap – but at 10 times the level they wanted
The High Court has capped the costs exposure of the four barristers bringing a judicial review against the Legal Services Board over the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates – but at a level 10 times the one they had proposed.
Regulators accused of failing to collaborate over LETR responses
The regulators of solicitors and barristers have been accused of failing to collaborate closely enough on their responses to the Legal Education and Training Review, after they announced they would pursue independent strategies for ensuring competency.
Law Society makes plea for understanding on legal aid strategy in bid to ward off EGM
A passionate defence of strategic engagement with a government implacably determined to slash criminal legal aid practitioners’ income has been made by the Law Society, in an attempt to defuse rebellion in its ranks.
Top insurer Markel enters legal market as Quindell unveils £150m Direct Line deal
Leading insurer Markel is to enter the legal market after today announcing a deal to buy the owner of alternative business structure Lewis Hymanson Small. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has given approval for the change of control.
