Bristows becomes first large City firm to win ABS status
Commercial law firm Bristows has been granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence, becoming the largest City practice so far to have taken the plunge. The 34-partner, 74 fee-earner firm is best known for its intellectual property work,
Legal consultancy offers exit strategy for PI firms “without firesale”
Personal injury law firms that are looking to exit the market as a result of the 1 April Jackson reforms are being targeted by a new consultancy that promises they can retain high levels of the work-in-progress on their book of cases.
Caan returns to the legal den as he adds virtual law firm to portfolio
Virtual law firm Excello Law has become the second legal practice to join forces with ex-Dragon’s Den star James Caan as part of its bid to become the leading supplier of legal services to the SME sector. The firm has joined Knights Solicitors in Mr Caan’s Hamilton Bradshaw portfolio of companies.
Simpson Millar and DAS bring pre-paid legal services to the UK
National law firm Simpson Millar has joined forces with legal expenses insurer DAS to bring insurance-backed pre-paid legal plans to the UK, offering cover for a wide range of contentious and non-contentious work – including conveyancing and personal injury.
Heads of chambers unite against QASA as criminal Bar bids to build alliance
The meeting of heads of chambers on the South Eastern Circuit last week ended in unanimous opposition to the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) in its current form, it has emerged.
Specialist PI firm targets white-label deals with insurers after winning ABS licence
The latest personal injury law firm to become an alternative business structure is eyeing up the opportunity of offering insurers a specialist white-label service, it has emerged. Without the status, “you can’t get off the starting blocks,” said its chief executive.
City solicitors strike deal with commercial Bar over special terms of business
The City of London Law Society and Commercial Bar Association have published model terms of business for barristers instructed in commercial cases after more than two years of negotiation. The Bar Council’s new standard terms were deemed unacceptable by some solicitors.
Revised QASA timetable confirms new nine-month delay
The Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) will start in September, nine months later than planned, it was announced yesterday. The revised timetable was released just hours before heads of chambers met to discuss their response to QASA.
Bar Council and Law Society at loggerheads as standard terms of contract come into force
Barristers could end up uninsured and in financial hardship if they agree to variations of their new standard terms of contract recommended by the Law Society, the Bar Council has warned. It said it was “surprised and disappointed” at the tone of Chancery Lane’s practice note.
SRA needs to hold "overzealous lawyers" to account for advice that enables client wrongdoing
Transactional lawyers should be held accountable if their advice is used by clients for unlawful acts and strict conduct rules are necessary to police this rather than an outcomes-focused principle, law academics have argued.
