Pitt cools talk of single regulator as he bids to build reform consensus
In his first interview since taking over as chairman of the Legal Services Board, Sir Michael Pitt has cooled talk of a single regulator for all legal services. Sir Michael also praised the Solicitors Regulation Authority for its current programme of reform.
Large firms finding they can’t “go it alone” in PI marketing
Leading marketing collective First4Lawyers said today that it has seen a clutch of larger personal injury (PI) firms return to its panel in recognition of the need for scale to compete effectively in the market.
BSB not expecting barrister rush to create entities
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is not expecting the introduction of entity regulation to lead to many barristers joining forces in a single business, it has emerged.
LCJ uses Nightjack case to warn lawyers who mislead court of “exemplary punishments”
Lawyers who mislead the court will end up with “exemplary and deterrent” punishments, the Lord Chief Justice has warned. Lord Thomas was speaking after Alastair Brett, former legal manager at Times Newspapers, had limited success in appealing an SDT ruling.
Fairpoint lauds "unique opportunity" presented by Legal Services Act
The Legal Services Act has presented “a unique opportunity to create more competitive consumer offerings”, according to the company that bought national law firm Simpson Millar earlier this year.
We need more independence, BSB director says
Dr Vanessa Davies, director of the Bar Standards Board (BSB), has made it clear that the regulator will push for more independence in the future.
High Court judge: law firms bringing “meritless” judicial reviews will be referred to SRA
Solicitors who bring “meritless” immigration judicial reviews could be referred to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) even on the first occasion, a High Court judge has warned.
Fine for paralegal who moved firms and took sensitive data with him
A paralegal who took sensitive information from his employer when moving to a rival law firm was convicted of a criminal offence under the Data Protection Act this week.
First sanction for firm that failed to close after extended indemnity period
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its first decision fining a law firm for not closing down properly after failure to secure indemnity cover by the end of the extended policy period (EPP).
LSB chair: regulators need to help push down cost of legal services
More needs to be done to reduce the cost of legal services to meet the needs of small businesses and people who are neither wealthy nor eligible for legal aid, the chairman of the Legal Services Board has said in his first public speech.
