AIM-listed ABS eyes future benefits after law firm acquisition dents profits
Lewis Hymanson Small – the law firm bought by AIM-listed Abbey Protection earlier this year – made a small dent in the company’s profits during a “tough” initial period, Abbey’s half-year results have shown. They also lay out how much it paid for the Manchester practice.
Barrass to leave SRA
Samantha Barrass, who has led the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s work on licensing alternative business structures, is leaving to become chief executive of the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission.
Call to end “double regulation” of conveyancers through CQS and lender criteria
The Law Society’s conveyancing quality scheme and lender-specific requirements amount to double regulation of lawyers and there needs to be a sector-wide effort to resolve the problem, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has urged.
SRA shuts down law firm after High Court questions fitness to practise
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has closed down an east London law firm less than a month after the High Court questioned its fitness to practise. The SRA intervened into the practice of Benny Thomas and Syed Tanweer Akhtar at Consilium Chambers LLP.
Law Society makes SRA power grab
The Law Society should regain control over training, authorisation to practise and standard setting – reabsorbing a significant proportion of the Solicitors Regulation Authority in the process – solicitors’ professional body has argued.
LSB urges Chancery Lane to find budget savings
The Legal Services Board has urged the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority to “actively look for savings opportunities” after the society’s budget increased by £11.5m for the next year. It also criticised a lack of consultation with fee payers over what they will have to pay.
Police investigate death of solicitor facing disciplinary tribunal
Around 30 detectives and police staff are now working full-time investigating the “suspicious” death of a Durham solicitor who was due to appear before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Peter Thomas Maine, aged 56, was found with stab wounds.
Private equity pair take majority stake in leading PI firm
Winn Solicitors – which has grown in a decade from nothing to a highly profitable £40m volume claimant personal injury firm – is set for further expansion after being bought by two international investment companies.
SRA makes bid to free itself from Law Society shackles
It is time for truly independent regulation of the solicitors’ profession to stop attempts by the Law Society to interfere, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has told the government. It also reiterated a call for all legal activities to be brought within the scope of regulation.
Information Commissioner to probe law firms that used rogue private investigators
Law firms which used rogue private investigators are now facing an investigation into whether they breached the Data Protection Act, the Information Commissioner’s Office has announced. There are said to be 22 law firms involved.
