Indemnity insurance meltdown fails to materialise
Predictions of a professional indemnity insurance apocalypse appear to have been well wide of the mark, with just 69 firms so far notifying the Solicitors Regulation Authority that they have triggered the new extended indemnity period.
“You want a quote? Byron or Shakespeare?” – how law firms fail to convert telephone enquiries
Law firms are suffering from a “nationwide epidemic of missed opportunities” because of the way they deal with telephone enquiries, new mystery shopping research has claimed. In 97% of calls, the handler failed to ask if the caller wanted to go ahead or make an appointment.
Criminal legal aid lawyers mull action as they vent fury over cuts
A high-powered meeting of lawyers opposed to impending criminal legal aid cuts ended on Tuesday night without agreement on a date for action, despite strong support in the hall for a vote on it. There is also a bid to call an SGM of the Law Society for a vote of no-confidence in its leadership.
Exclusive: the alternative to solicitors that’s become an alternative business structure
An eviction business that was originally set up as an alternative to solicitors has now become an alternative business structure (ABS) regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to help it stand out against unregulated competition.
Contracts site hopes overseas expansion will take it to premier league
A website that connects individuals and small businesses with a panel of solicitors who review contracts for a fixed fee, has set up in the US and Canada and plans to expand into the rest of Europe.
Solicitors and consumers split over widening ombudsman’s remit to unregulated providers
Solicitors and consumer representatives have come out on opposite sides of the Legal Ombudsman’s proposal to extend its remit to the estimated 130,000 unregulated legal services providers operating in England and Wales.
Barrister turned doctors’ regulator named as next SRA chief executive
Barrister Paul Philip has been appointed as the next chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Mr Philip is presently deputy chief executive and chief operating officer of the General Medical Council, and will join the SRA on 1 February 2014.
From beds to bumps – top businessman takes stake in personal injury firm
A personal injury practice with offices in the north-west and midlands has become an alternative business structure (ABS) so that a top businessman can take a stake in the firm.
Law firm spin-off becomes ABS
A law firm spin-off which helps insolvency practitioners to process financial mis-selling claims against financial institutions, has been granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence.
PayPal founder invests in internet start-up aimed at helping lawyers and clients collaborate
The co-founder of PayPal has invested in a start-up that aims to help clients find lawyers and then collaborate with them through an online platform – and is targeting the UK in the next few months – Legal Futures can reveal.
