Top PI practice becomes latest ABS
A leading personal injury practice has become the latest law firm to obtain an alternative business structure licence as part of its preparations for the impact of the Jackson reforms. Co-founder David Bott is the immediate past president of APIL.
Co-op blanks QualitySolicitors criticism but claims its presence will benefit all lawyers
Co-operative Legal Services has refused to be drawn into a spat with QualitySolicitors over whether so-called ‘supermarket law’ offers an inferior service compared to high street solicitors, instead underlining its appeal to people who normally shun lawyers.
News in brief: SRA launches Hillsborough probe, two more ABSs, PC renewal timetable and more
Our latest round-up of news you need to know includes the SRA launching an investigation into the conduct of solicitors after the Hillsborough disaster, the latest ABS licences, PC renewal details, and a bid to ensure high standards of complaints handling among conveyancers.
Back-to-work lawyers "enable firms and GCs to outsource onshore"
Mahy: something that somebody should have thought of before
Using ex-City lawyer parents looking to return to practice is a way for in-house lawyers and law firms to onshore services that many people are saying should be offshored, a former FTSE 100 general counsel said this week.
QS unveils exclusive LegalZoom deal ahead of 'anti-supermarket law' advertising campaign
QualitySolicitors has today unveiled an exclusive partnership with online legal services provider LegalZoom – the most recognised legal brand in the US – ahead of an advertising campaign that will by openly hostile to supermarkets, banks and others offering legal services.
Co-op launches fixed-fee family law service
Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has today launched its much-touted family law operation in London, offering services on a fixed fee as standard. CLS, which was one of the first three alternative business structures, has so far recruited 22 fee-earners.
New practice offers fixed-fee support packages to help clients run their own litigation
A new commercial law firm in Harrogate has launched with a fixed-fee product to support clients in conducting their own litigation. In the latest bid to challenge the traditional hourly billing model, Towers Legal is also offering a fixed-fee ‘virtual’ in-house lawyer service.
High Court quashes demand for solicitor to pay £150,000 ARP premium
A solicitor has successfully challenged a demand to stump up nearly £150,000 in unpaid assigned risks pool premiums. He was able to show that the ARP’s manager had not established that he was personally liable for the debt of the LLP in question.
"Significant minority" of London lawyers dodging tax but experts split on HMRC crackdown
HMRC claimed yesterday that a “significant minority” of lawyers in London are underpaying on tax as it launched a specialist taskforce aimed at rooting them out. However, the announcement met with polarised reactions suggesting that it is either likely to lead to criminal actions or is doomed.
Regulators told to release law firm quality indicators and co-operate with comparison websites
Regulators of the legal profession will have to gather and publish evidence of where lawyers are falling down on quality – including information on disciplinary action – following a wide-ranging review by the Legal Services Board.
