Northern Circuit ballot shows near-unanimous support for QASA boycott
The prospect of industrial action over the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) moved a major step closer yesterday after barristers on the Northern Circuit overwhelmingly supported a boycott.
Leading PI firm cuts out claims intermediaries to “go it alone”
Antony Hodari has cut its ties with claims intermediaries and will now become self-sufficient in generating its caseload, becoming the first major personal injury law firm to announce its post-referral fee ban strategy.
Does NewLaw have second insurer ABS up its sleeve?
NewLaw Solicitors – which yesterday formally announced an alternative business structure (ABS) with insurance giant Ageas to handle policyholders’ personal injury claims – looks set to unveil a second partnership.
LSB hits back strongly at critics
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has hit back at its critics, accusing frontline legal regulators of being “uncomfortable” with the language of competition and failing to examine the impact of regulation on the market.
£500m RAC contract the first of many, says Quindell
Alternative business structure Quindell Portfolio plc has started to announce the major contract wins its end-to-end personal injury service has delivered, with a deal with RAC worth potentially £500m a year first to become public.
Top insurer launches ABS with personal injury law firm
One of the country’s largest insurance companies yesterday received its alternative business structure licence and has struck a deal with a Cardiff personal injury firm to provide legal services to customers making non-fault claims.
Legal Futures goes from strength to strength
Sahar Hashemi, the solicitor-turned-entrepreneur who founded Coffee Republic, heads the line-up for the next Legal Futures Conference, The LEX Factor. Our latest event comes as we celebrate being shortlisted for the Halsbury Legal Journalism Award and launching our first LinkedIn group.
LSB tells SRA: liberalisation of local authority solicitors charging for work does not go far enough
The Legal Services Board has criticised the Solicitors Regulation Authority for restricting liberalisation of the rule that previously prevented local authorities from charging charities and voluntary organisations for legal services.
Co-op calls on solicitors to ‘stop the clock’ on divorce work
More than four out of five of divorcees want family law services provided by fixed fees, according to research carried out by Co-operative Legal Services to launch a campaign against hourly rates in light of this week’s legal aid cuts.
Candid camera? Barristers now free to talk to the media about their cases
Barristers can now speak to the press about their cases, after the Bar’s Code of Conduct was changed. The end to the rule prohibiting barristers from expressing personal opinion publicly in relation to their work finally brings them in line with solicitor-advocates.
