Kiss and make up? Edmonds and Deech begin process of détente
The Legal Services Board has no agenda for fundamental reform of the profession and would like to see a new era of co-operation between frontline regulators on matters of common interest, its chair David Edmonds told barristers last week.
LSB urges conveyancing regulators to consider alternatives to client account
Regulators should explore alternatives to conveyancers holding client money in a bid to tackle the risks of fraud, the Legal Services Board has recommended. However, it found regulators are working hard at the issue and that it need not intervene any further.
Traditional firms “more innovative than ABSs”, says SRA, as it promises COLP/COFA reassurance
Innovations in legal practice are coming more from traditional law firms than from ABSs, the SRA said last week. Meanwhile, it will this week clarify the position of firms that have submitted COLP and COFA nominations but have not yet received approvals.
Barrister snub to diversity monitoring “embarrassing” and “pathetic”
Only a handful of the 15,000-plus members of the Bar have disclosed information such as whether they went to public or state schools, in a snub to the chairs of the Bar and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) who had personally requested it.
QASA: agreement reached but implementation delayed
Introduction of the controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) has been delayed, it was announced today. It was meant to start at the end of January, but no new date has now been set as more details are worked out.
LSB to begin probe into whether ‘general legal advice’ should be reserved
The investigation of whether ‘general legal advice’ should become a reserved legal activity will begin next year, the Legal Services Board has revealed. It has also given a strong steer on what it hopes to see come out of the Legal Education and Training Review
Home-buyers have little interest in conveyancing from brand names, says survey
Just 8% of recent home-buyers would seek out a big brand such as the Co-op to handle their conveyancing the next time they move, a consumer survey has found as Conveyancing Association launched customer service ‘pledges’ that it says are a first for the industry.
City lawyers speak out against plans to limit government consultations
Government plans to streamline the process of consulting on policy changes will diminish public engagement in decision making and with it the “free, world class” advice of City law firms, according to a senior spokesman for the capital’s lawyers.
Listed insurance company set for law firm acquisition after gaining ABS licence
Well-known legal expenses insurer Abbey Protection plc should complete its acquisition of a law firm early next year, it revealed yesterday after receiving an alternative business structure (ABS) licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
CA clears law firm of £185,000 mortgage fraud liability after being duped by bogus practice
The Court of Appeal has reversed a ruling that held a solicitors’ firm caught up in a mortgage fraud liable for the loss after being tricked by a bogus practice. The High Court had ruled that Davisons Solicitors in Birmingham had to repay £184,500 to the Nationwide Building Society.
