BSB outlines disappointment over disciplinary failures as Inns of Court turf war looms
The Bar Standards Board has expressed regret and disappointment at the problems uncovered in the Inns of Court’s administration of disciplinary tribunals – and opened up a turf war over the role of the new tribunals service that is being set up as a result.
Top judge warns against creeping influence of external investors over professional ethics
A Court of Appeal judge has issued a warning over the risk of external investment in law firms leading to “small, imperceptible steps” that could put business interests ahead of professional ethics.
Non-lawyer gains ABS licence for conveyancing practice
A conveyancing business set up by a technology specialist has become the latest alternative business structure. Peter Ambrose, the owner of The Partnership, based in Guildford, Surrey, described its licence as an “endorsement”.
SRA set to reject solicitor lobbying and change controversial referral rule
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to push ahead with controversial changes to the rules on referrals to financial advisers that will no longer preclude them from choosing those tied to particular institutions, despite opposition from the Law Society, SIFA and others.
Younger consumers attracted by idea of legal services from a supermarket
Nearly seven out of ten people are attracted to the idea of finding legal services on the internet and a similar number of younger adults are likely to go to supermarket providers, according to a survey.
OFT targets legal websites in push to improve standards among price comparison services
The Office of Fair Trading has written to five legal price comparison websites to urge them to ensure they are providing clear information to consumers, after a review suggested that some sites could do more to improve trust amongst the public.
All talk, no action? Most law firms in merger negotiations, but few end up in deals
Merger and acquisition talks are rife among law firms, although there is little evidence of many making it through to a deal, new research has suggested. According to the survey by NatWest, 62% of firms had received or made approaches in the past year.
Profits up as Knights benefits from Caan factor, while Parabis chief warns of accountant threat
Investment by Dragon’s Den star James Caan has given the law firm Knights privileged access to clients and helped boost fee income by 20%, according to its managing partner. Meanwhile Parabis chief executive Tim Oliver has warned about the entry of the big accountants.
Government will not set limit on payments permitted under referral fee ban exception
The government is not currently planning to set an upper limit on payments that are exempt from the referral fee ban as “consideration for services”, it has announced. The news came as the Claims Management Regulator issued preliminary guidance on how it will approach the ban.
QS defends "premature" attack ads and reports mixed results from WH Smith stands
QualitySolicitors (QS) has admitted its campaign of attack ads on ‘faceless’ legal advice may have been premature, but defended it on the grounds that the network’s solicitors wanted the message publicised.
