The satisfied probate client: face-to-face advice from a solicitor on a fixed fee, says major survey…
Consumers of probate and estate administration services are significantly more satisfied when they receive their advice face to face, rather than by e-mail, post or telephone, major research has found, while those on fixed fees pay a third less than those charged by the hour.
… as consumer panel calls on LSB to regulate probate and estate administration services
Probate and estate administration services should become reserved legal activities, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has recommended. It follows the panel’s call last year for will-writing to be regulated as well, which sparked a formal LSB investigation into the issue.
Djanogly: ABSs helping to create conditions for legal aid firms “to flourish”
The legal aid reforms will open up opportunities for law firms, with alternative business structures (ABSs) offering one way to exploit them, justice minister Jonathan Djanogly claimed last week. The significance of ABSs “cannot be overstated”, he said.
Law Society tells LSB: keep your tanks off our lawn
The Law Society has warned the Legal Services Board that it is overstepping its role as an oversight body by trying to become a market regulator. The society said the board plans for the future suggested an “inappropriately proactive approach for an oversight regulator”.
Lords votes on Jackson reforms leave claimant groups frustrated
Claimant groups have welcomed the House of Lords votes to exclude industrial disease cases from the end of recoverability, but questioned why there is a different rule for other injured people. Also, refusing to put the 10% increase in damages on the face of the bill could cause problems, they warned.
LSB hints at support for solicitors’ position in row with barristers over QASA
The Legal Services Board has given the clearest hint yet that it is supporting the position of solicitors in the row over the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates. Legal Futures also understands that the LSB is pushing the Bar Standards Board to accept a compromise.
Government suffers two defeats over Jackson but reforms stay largely intact
The House of Lords yesterday inflicted two defeats on the government over part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, but the main elements of the Jackson reforms remained intact. Third-party litigation funding and referral fees were also under the spotlight.
COLP and COFA nomination process to begin “within six weeks”, says SRA
The form that allows law firms to nominate their compliance officers for legal practice and for finance and administration should go live in the next six weeks, the Solicitors Regulation Authority said yesterday, while also revealing some of the information it will require about them.
Appeal court frees solicitor after quashing convictions for fraud and money laundering
The Court of Appeal yesterday quashed the conviction of a solicitor jailed for fraud and money laundering in £650,000 worth of property transactions. However, a conviction for perverting the course of justice – for selling a Lamborghini that was subject to a freezing order – was unaffected.
LSB calls on consumers and indemnity insurers to help drive improvements in legal services
Regulators should empower consumers to drive improvements in the quality of legal services, while professional indemnity insurers could hand over firm-specific claims data to help target poorly performing practices, the Legal Services Board has suggested.
