LSB: concern over behaviour at top of Bar Council and BSB sparked independence probe
The Legal Services Board’s initial probe into the independent regulation of barristers uncovered “a number of concerns about the Bar Council’s and the Bar Standards Board’s behaviour at both junior and senior executive as well as board level”, it has emerged.
Lawyers urged to adapt when advising clients with learning disabilities
Lawyers needs to improve their interpersonal skills, be patient, respectful and remove jargon to provide disabled clients with a better legal service, research has claimed. More also needs to be done to advertise legal services to people with learning disabilities.
Ebay’s former online dispute resolution team targets UK after $5m cash injection
An online dispute resolution business that spun out of eBay is heading to the UK after receiving a $5m cash injection from venture capitalists. Modria is setting up its European operation in the UK, where it will be headed by solicitor Graham Ross.
MPs attack insurers over referral fees and ABSs
MPs have attacked insurance companies for not being more transparent over the referral fees they receive from a range of sources. The transport select committee said “the motor insurance sector remains as opaque as ever”.
Lawyers Online relaunch targets referrals for panel firms
A network of 200 law firms which started life as an internet service provider for lawyers has re-launched as the latest referral website for legal services. Lawyers Online went ‘live’ last Friday, and has immediately set itself up in direct competition with existing marketing collectives.
LeO bids to open doors to clients of unregulated legal services providers
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has today begun a debate over whether its remit should be widened to capture complaints against the 130,000 unregulated providers who deliver legal services. It has also raised the prospect of becoming the complaints body for a wide range of professionals.
City lawyers and accountants hit out at partnership tax reform plans
The government’s proposed attack on tax abuse by law firm LLPs and partnerships is “at odds” with its own aim to make the UK the global centre for the wealth management industry, City lawyers have claimed.
PE-fuelled Knights on the acquisition trail after snapping up Chester office
Knights Solicitors – the Staffordshire law firm backed by former Dragon James Caan – has pledged to make further acquisitions after buying the Chester office of Hill Dickinson.
QASA heads for launch after LSB gives final green light
There is “sufficient consistency of evidence and concern” about the standard of criminal advocacy to warrant the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA), the Legal Services Board concluded today.
Survey: ABSs will be better for clients than for the future of traditional law firms
Alternative business structures may be bad for traditional law firms, but they will have a positive impact on clients, a snapshot survey of small firms has found. This is despite the belief that new entrants will not provide the same quality or ethical standards as traditional practices.
