Government backs social mobility toolkit for lawyers and other professionals
The government has welcomed the first common framework to measure the progress of social mobility within the professions, which was launched last Friday. The social mobility toolkit was published by Professions for Good.
Lawyers2you targets London as fuss over A-board highlights advertising sensitivity
Lawyers2you is to become the first legal network to take on London when it launches its first franchise in the east of the city shortly, Legal Futures can reveal. The news comes after it faced criticism in the press for an A-board it used in central Birmingham.
SRA agrees third version of Handbook in six months – with another one set for June
The board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority this week approved the third edition of the SRA Handbook since it went live last October, with a fourth one due before the end of June. The SRA said it recognised the disruption this would cause but argued that the updates have been unavoidable.
LSB chief calls for training review to be radical
The Legal Education and Training Review needs to be radical and permanently separate authorisation to practise from professional titles, the chairman of the Legal Services Board said this week.
Most firms in multiple breach of the Solicitors Code of Conduct, says SRA research
The vast majority of law firms are non-compliant with the Solicitors Code of Conduct, research by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has found. Most of the 200 firms assessed had four or five incidences of non-compliance.
Government offers limited LASPO concessions as ATE insurers go on the attack
The government yesterday offered a limited concession on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill as a coalition of 10 leading after-the-event insurers accused the government of ignoring the industry during the formulation of its policy.
Top firms put mergers at forefront of strategy as pressure from clients forces change, says report
Merger and acquisition activity is becoming a far greater strategic priority among the largest law firms, new research has shown – although most still remain wary of alternative business structures. It also highlighted how top firms are being forced to offer fixed fees.
Law Society, APIL and MASS agree Jackson compromise position
The Law Society, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and Motor Accident Solicitors Society have agreed a compromise on the Jackson reforms that they are to propose to the government, Legal Futures can report. They have won the support of three key charities.
Government targets legal services regulation in ‘Red Tape Challenge’
The government is planning to slash unnecessary red tape around the regulation of legal services, it has emerged. The Red Tape Challenge – a government-wide initiative to cut the 21,000 regulations currently in force in the UK – will spotlight legal services in June.
RTA portal set for extension in April 2013 as MoJ begins process of cutting lawyers’ fees
The RTA portal will be extended to claims worth up to £25,000 in April 2013, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed as it began the process of reducing the level of fees paid to claimant lawyers under it.
