Accountants hit back after Law Society protests over ABS regulator bid
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has hit back against Law Society objections to its application to become an alternative business structure regulator, claiming the public interest was “built into accountants’ DNA”.
SRA decides not to follow CMC regulator in banning inducements
The Solicitors Regulation Authority will not be banning personal injury firms from offering inducements to clients to instruct them, but has warned that they need to consider whether doing so fuels a compensation culture.
QualitySolicitors firm eyes one-stop shop for professional services after gaining ABS status
A QualitySolicitors law firm with ambitions to become a one-stop shop for a range of professional services is among new alternative business structures (ABSs) whose licenses become active next month.
“Fanciful” BSB prosecution over barrister’s gardening bill spat thrown out
A barrister has succeeded in having a disciplinary case brought against him by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) struck out, with the argument advanced on behalf of the board dismissed by the judge as “fanciful”. The bid to strike out the case had the pro bono backing of Sir Sydney Kentridge QC.
Legal Education and Training Review report: a good basis but many areas to improve
There is a good standard of legal education and training in England and Wales – “for the most part” – but quality, accessibility and flexibility need to be enhanced “to ensure the system remains fit for the future”, the Legal Education and Training Review research report has concluded.
SRA promises “radical review” of qualifying as a solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has pledged to undertake a “radical review of the skills and knowledge required to merit qualification as a solicitor” as part of its response to the findings of the Legal Education and Training Review research report, which was published today.
Exclusive: first direct access website for barristers to bid for work goes live – and it’s free
A free online ‘community resource’ that enables direct access barristers to tender for clients’ work has been launched by the head of a London chambers. CallMyBarrister.com goes live today with a “unique tendering model” that its founder compared to that of a dating website.
Law Society takes on insurers with “mugging” advertising campaign
The Law Society yesterday unveiled its “bold” new advertising campaign to promote personal injury solicitors, with the strap-line ‘Don’t get mugged by an insurer – use a solicitor’. As revealed by Legal Futures last week, the campaign is costing around £300,000.
Pioneering solicitor issues rallying call to small firms: you can compete with big brands
Many small firms are better placed than they realise to thrive in the legal market, according to the solicitor who created the largest law firm network in the country. Greg Shields also hit out at the “monetisation of fear”, with “people selling a message that’s built on the negativity of fear”.
BSB opens door to regulating businesses with no barrister owners
The Bar Standards Board is prepared to regulate entities that do not have any barrister owners, it decided last week. The shift comes shortly after the Solicitors Regulation Authority granted an alternative business structure licence to a chambers – the first without a solicitor owner.
