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.
PC renewal will start on 1 November, Law Society promises
The Law Society yesterday usurped the Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to announce details of this year’s practising certificate renewal exercise. The 2011 renewal exercise was dogged by delays and IT problems.
Conveyancers far more worried by lender panels than ABSs, survey finds
Lenders’ panel selection decisions, rather than alternative business structures (ABSs), are the main cloud hanging over the conveyancing industry, according to new research. Only a fifth are planning or considering becoming an ABS.
LeO finally names firms – and majority were found to have acted properly
The names of 772 law firms which have been the subject of a formal decision by the Legal Ombudsman were published today – but an analysis by this website shows the ombudsman was happy with the law firm’s actions in more than half of the cases made public.
Keoghs agrees external investment deal
Defendant insurance firm Keoghs has struck a deal to accept external investment once it receives its alternative business structure licence, it has confirmed. The firm said the funding will help accelerate its growth plans.
AIM-listed conveyancing business eyes new law firm acquisition
Online conveyancing business In-Deed is lining up a second law firm acquisition as it shifts its focus away from a direct-to-consumer model, its first annual report has revealed. The AIM-listed company’s chairman is Rightmove founder Harry Hill.
Deech calls on BSB to take to social media to combat negative stories
The Bar Standards Board is to boost its use of social media to rebut future negative publicity, after a bruising encounter with conventional news media in the wake of the ongoing controversy over barristers’ disciplinary tribunals.
£50,000 cap on claims against IP ABSs criticised
A proposed £50,000 cap on compensation claims against alternative business structures licensed by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board is too restrictive, it has been argued as the board prepares to become an ABS licensing authority.
Unique niche firm to use ABS status to take on larger competitors
The only UK law firm focusing exclusively on handling liability claims for self-insured companies has become the latest alternative business structure (ABS) and plans to use the status to help it take on larger competitors.
LSB releases plan to monitor impact of ABSs on access to justice
The Legal Services Board yesterday laid out how it will monitor the impact of alternative business structures and other reforms on access to justice. The attempt to “baseline” access to justice and to evaluate change over time proposes 18 measures.
