Government overturns LASPO changes as Djanogly hits out at “inflated” law firm profits
The government as expected overturned all of the House of Lords amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill last night, with justice minister Jonathan Djanogly saying the Jackson reforms would put an end to the “racket” that has allowed “inflated profits” for law firms.
College of Law to grow two-year LLB in wake of £200m sale to private equity
The College of Law is to target expansion of its new undergraduate law degree following its sale to Montague Private Equity. The deal separates the legal education and training business from the college’s charitable activities, with the proceeds of the sale going into a £200m-plus fund.
American bar ditches bid to introduce non-lawyer ownership of firms
The American Bar Association has dropped plans for any changes to its policy prohibiting the non-lawyer ownership of law firms. Having rejected more radical ideas such as ABSs, it had proposed a form of legal disciplinary practice.
Government to invoke controversial rule in bid to squash LASPO changes
The government will today try and invoke a controversial parliamentary rule that will bypass efforts by peers to hold on to their amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, Legal Futures can confirm.
Fancy a piece of the action? High-powered group to advise on introduction of contingency fees
An 11-man working party will meet for the first time today to advise on how to introduce contingency fees for court work in England and Wales. The working party has been set up by the Civil Justice Council.
European Commission rejects lawyers’ pleas to reduce anti-money laundering burden
The European Commission sees no reason to accede to lawyers’ calls and reduce the burden of anti-money laundering rules on the legal profession, a new report has indicated. However, it will consider steps to improve under-reporting of suspicious transactions.
City solicitor faces £600k bill to reimburse former firm and indemnity insurer in bribe case
A former senior solicitor at City firm SNR Denton is facing a £600,000 bill after the High Court ordered her to repay the firm and its insurer losses they suffered as a result of her involvement in the payment of a bribe.
Consumer panel targets "sub-standard" legal advice
There is evidence that the quality of legal advice is “too often sub-standard”, meaning the safety net for consumers needs to be enhanced, the Legal Services Consumer Panel said today as it launched its work programme for the next year.
Legal advice from claims consultancy does not attract privilege, High Court rules
The client of a claims consultancy that employed lawyers could not claim legal professional privilege (LPP) on their advice, the High Court has ruled.
COLP role risks prompting culture of silence at firms, warns top adviser
Law firms should not appoint the lawyer who handles their indemnity insurance as the compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or risk discouraging lawyers from owning up to their mistakes, a leading City solicitor has advised.
