News round-up: would-be ABS expands, HSBC publishes panel criteria, and much more
Our regular round-up of news includes Quindell Portfolio’s latest acquisition, Simmons & Simmons moving City work to Bristol, the SRA’s City adviser joining Obelisk Legal, the Law Society withdrawing its PII broker list, and much more besides.
Licensed conveyancers refused right to conduct litigation and advocacy – for now
The Legal Services Board yesterday rejected a bid to allow licensed conveyancers to conduct litigation and advocacy, after more than a year of consideration. It had run into fierce opposition from the Lord Chief Justice and the Law Society.
Set the date to scrap the LSB, Bar regulator tells government
The “end is in sight” for the Legal Services Board (LSB) and it can be abolished in about three years’ time, the Bar’s regulator has told the government. The Bar Council stopped short of this, but said the LSB should be reined in.
Cost of legal services continues to rise – as does number of people going it alone without lawyers
The continued rise in the cost of legal services at a time when consumer wealth has fallen could be putting people off seeking legal advice, new research has suggested. The Legal Services Board report also found indications of falling quality.
TAG solicitor loses appeal against striking-off
A solicitor heavily involved with failed claims handler The Accident Group (TAG) has lost his appeal against a High Court decision to strike him off. Anthony Dennison had initially just been fined by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
City firm to place its LPC students with clients as part of innovative MA
Prospective trainee solicitors at Reed Smith are to conduct projects for the international firm’s clients as part of an innovative legal practice course that integrates legal and business learning and leads to a unique Masters qualification – the MA (LPC with Business).
LeO cuts £3m off budget as income from case fees collapses
The Legal Ombudsman is to reduce its budget by 14% – amounting to nearly £3m – over the next year, it has revealed. It is in large part accounted for by a far lower receipt of case fees last year than had been expected.
Edmonds: failure to comply with staff diversity rules will tell its own story
Lack of compliance by law firms and chambers with the new requirements to publish information about the diversity of their staff “will in itself tell a story”, the chairman of the Legal Services Board has claimed.
Don’t recruit partners without running them past us first, SRA warns firms
Law firms recruiting partners must now seek the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s approval prior to appointment, it has confirmed. However, it is still unable to confirm when the process will begin for firms to nominate their COLP and COFA.
Rocket Lawyer ramps up ahead of UK launch
Rocket Lawyer, the Google-backed US online legal document service, has taken the next step in its plans to launch in the UK this year by opening a London office and recruiting a senior member of the LexisNexis team to lead it.
