SRA promises “radical review” of qualifying as a solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has pledged to undertake a “radical review of the skills and knowledge required to merit qualification as a solicitor” as part of its response to the findings of the Legal Education and Training Review research report, which was published today.
Exclusive: first direct access website for barristers to bid for work goes live – and it’s free
A free online ‘community resource’ that enables direct access barristers to tender for clients’ work has been launched by the head of a London chambers. CallMyBarrister.com goes live today with a “unique tendering model” that its founder compared to that of a dating website.
Law Society takes on insurers with “mugging” advertising campaign
The Law Society yesterday unveiled its “bold” new advertising campaign to promote personal injury solicitors, with the strap-line ‘Don’t get mugged by an insurer – use a solicitor’. As revealed by Legal Futures last week, the campaign is costing around £300,000.
Pioneering solicitor issues rallying call to small firms: you can compete with big brands
Many small firms are better placed than they realise to thrive in the legal market, according to the solicitor who created the largest law firm network in the country. Greg Shields also hit out at the “monetisation of fear”, with “people selling a message that’s built on the negativity of fear”.
BSB opens door to regulating businesses with no barrister owners
The Bar Standards Board is prepared to regulate entities that do not have any barrister owners, it decided last week. The shift comes shortly after the Solicitors Regulation Authority granted an alternative business structure licence to a chambers – the first without a solicitor owner.
Law firm bids to ‘consumerise’ advice to SMEs with legal and non-legal services
A northern commercial law firm aims to take on ‘big brand’ new entrants to the legal market with its own portal offering businesses legal and non-legal services. Butterworths Solicitors has launched fixed-price products through its Go! brand for SME clients.
“Astonishing” letter from Attorney General hints at government split over legal aid reform
Speculation about the views of the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC, on the government’s proposals to reform legal aid has intensified after he conspicuously failed to express support for them when responding to a letter of protest sent by 145 Treasury counsel.
Interpreters set up free law firm panel to help non-English speakers
An interpreter company is set to appoint a huge panel of hundreds of law firms for a new Community Legal Helpline. Yorkshire-based translation firm Applied eXperts Ltd said it is responding to a rise in legal queries from non-English speaking individuals.
Government: we will toughen up referral fee ban if ABSs are being used to get around it
The government has pledged to revisit the terms of the personal injury referral fee ban if it looks as though alternative business structures (ABSs) and other arrangements are being used to get around it.
PI firm reprimanded for “irresponsible” radio spot as Law Society prepares £300k ad campaign
A personal injury firm has been reprimanded for an “irresponsible” radio ad which encouraged accident victims to claim compensation “irrespective of injury”. The news comes ahead of a £300,000 Law Society national advertising campaign that will promote PI lawyers.
