Law firm that sent intimidating letters to alleged file-sharers accepts SRA reprimand
A law firm has escaped with a reprimand after being found by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to have breached professional practice rules in connection with intimidating letters sent to alleged Internet file sharers. It is the third firm to face SRA action over this.
Co-op to move into family law after hiring high-profile solicitors
Co-operative Legal Services has issued a major signal of intent by recruiting two leading solicitors to launch a family law service next year: Jenny Beck and Christina Blacklaws of TV Edwards, who both hold significant roles in the profession.
MPs reject Straw’s bid to back up referral fee ban with criminal sanctions
MPs last night rejected a bid by former justice secretary Jack Straw to make paying referral fees in personal injury cases a criminal offence. Debated during the report stage of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, they voted 302 to 208 against.
Satellite litigation over Jackson reforms inevitable, industry leaders told
Satellite litigation over the Jackson reforms is inevitable – and may not be a bad thing, a gathering of the leading figures in legal costs and funding heard this week. Legal Futures had exclusive access to the event, held to discuss implementation of the reforms.
BTE ruling “does not provide solicitors with a blank cheque”, top insurer warns
Last week’s High Court ruling on the rates before-the-event legal expenses insurers should pay non-panel law firms “does not provide a blank cheque” to solicitors, a leading provider has warned. But ACL chief says it offers new opportunities for solicitors.
Addleshaws partner opens novel legal regulation boutique
Rachel Khiara, formerly a partner at national firm Addleshaw Goddard, has launched her own niche boutique specialising in advising law firms, alternative business structures and other advisers on the new regulatory regime in the legal sector.
CSC threatens government with judicial review over referral fee ban
The Claims Standards Council, the trade body for claims management companies, has threatened the government with judicial review if it presses ahead with its proposed ban on referral fees in personal injury cases.
Fewer law firms shut down but SRA reports rise in mortgage fraud claims
The number of law firms being closed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has fallen to a four-year low, new figures have shown. But it has also received a record number of claims for compensation for mortgage fraud in the last quarter.
Lawyers are unduly pessimistic about the jobs market, survey finds
Lawyers are more pessimistic about the future jobs market than other professionals, despite their salaries and opportunities holding up “unusually well” since the start of the recession, a survey has found.
CMCs warned over major ABS hitch amid call to close referral fee ban "loophole"
Claims management companies looking to create legal arms as ABSs could fall foul of Solicitors Regulation Authority rules, a former SRA director has warned, while a leading insurance lawyer cautions over a loophole in the referral fee ban.
