Co-op to extend bank branch pilot in bid to become consumers’ “lawyer of choice”
Co-operative Legal Services is planning a more extensive pilot of face-to-face advice in its bank branches later this year as it bids to become consumers’ “lawyer of choice”, the company has confirmed. The Co-op has also merged its legal and funeral businesses.
World’s first listed law firm steps up interest in entering UK market
Australia’s Slater & Gordon, the world’s first publicly listed law firm, is “more seriously” evaluating the opportunities available in the UK, the company has revealed. The news comes as S&G and Integrated Legal Holdings – the only other listed legal practice, also in Australia – both announced strong results.
LSB gives green light to barristers joining ABSs
The Legal Services Board has approved changes to the Bar Code of Conduct that will allow barristers to become partners and employees of alternative business structures. The bar’s rulebook as currently drafted would prevents barristers from working for an ABS.
Exclusive: “Biggest legal brand in US” eyes UK market entry in 2012
Pioneering US legal services business LegalZoom is planning to launch in the UK next year, Legal Futures can reveal. Senior management are in the UK this week to view possible headquarters for the operation, which has been described as the most recognised legal brand in America.
Phone hacking “highlights risks law firms run” when using unregulated private eyes
Many law firms engage private investigators, but the phone hacking scandal illustrates the risk they run by hiring unregulated people, says Tony Immosi, president of the Association of British Investigators.
Big rise in law firms incorporating to combat practice funding problems
The number of incorporated law firms has risen sharply in the past year, with more than a fifth of legal practices now limited companies. According to Solicitors Regulation Authority figures, 2,400 of the 10,973 law firms as of July were incorporated companies, compared to 1,898 a year before – a rise of 26%.
Solicitor suspended for failing to pay ARP premium as SRA vows crackdown
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has welcomed the suspension of a solicitor who failed to pay his assigned risks pool premium as it vowed to step up enforcement efforts against other such firms with the end of the indemnity year looming.
Getting to grips with COLPs and COFAs
Frank Maher, a partner at Liverpool law firm Legal Risk LLP, outlines the new requirements on law firms to appoint compliance officers and the difficult issues they raise for practices in choosing who to appoint and the extent of the role.
Rule committee approves three costs pilots and reverses controversial Carver ruling
There will be three different costs pilots running from this autumn as the impact of the Jackson report spreads, the Civil Procedure Rule Committee has decided. It has also accepted the report’s recommendation to reverse the Court of Appeal’s highly controversial Carver ruling.
Another indemnity insurer targets small firms
Smaller law firms are set to have more choice for the professional indemnity insurance this year after Legal & Professional Insurance entered into an agreement with broker Marsh to target practices with two and three partners.
