Mayson: ABS implementation has become “something of a shambles”
The implementation of alternative business structures has become “something of a shambles”, Professor Stephen Mayson said yesterday. He accused regulators of failing the “new entrants, new capital and entrepreneurial law firms” poised to take advantage of the new regime.
General counsel eyeing legal services “production line”, Oxford research finds
The spiralling costs of legal services is prompting some leading general counsel to consider a “production line” approach to handling legal work, with more companies looking to go offshore or in-house, according to new research from an Oxford professor.
Retain legal aid for clinical negligence, urges Jackson – with swipe at the Law Society
Lord Justice Jackson yesterday called on the government not to withdraw legal aid from clinical negligence work. He also criticised the Law Society for conducting a single campaign against the legal aid cuts and his reforms of civil costs “as if they are a composite package”.
Bid to shut down will-writing companies as LSB launches regulation evidence call
The Insolvency Service last week presented petitions to wind up three will-writing businesses. The news comes as the Legal Services Board issues a call for evidence on whether to make will-writing, the entire probate process and estate administration reserved legal activities.
Big retailers join Jackson lobbying group as MPs resume scrutiny of reforms
The war of words over the Jackson reforms restarted today ahead of MPs resuming scrutiny of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill tomorrow. The Association of British Insurers has put together a ‘consortium for compensation reform’ made up of 16 leading retailers and business groups.
“Disproportionate” money laundering compliance rules cost big firms up to £1.3m
Compliance with “disproportionate” anti-money laundering rules costs the largest law firms as much as £1.3m each a year, the Law Society has claimed. Responding to a Treasury consultation, the society backed the option of abolishing all criminal sanctions under the 2007 Money Laundering Regulations.
Big brand “could target” new national solicitor marketing operation
The latest national marketing organisation for solicitors could be an attractive takeover target for a big brand looking to enter the legal market, its founder has admitted. Lawyers2you, the consumer-facing brand of Birmingham law firm Blakemores, is being rolled out nationally.
High Court forces top City firm to hand over client’s confidential contact details
The High Court has forced a leading City law firm to hand over the confidential contact details of a client to the other side in a civil action. However, it has blocked an effort to make Clyde & Co also reveal what it knows about the client’s assets.
Big brands set to roll out 24-hour legal advice service for £60 a year
A host of major businesses are being lined up to offer a new service providing consumers with help to handle a wide range of legal matters for an annual subscription of £59.99, we can reveal. CPP recently launched ‘Your Law’ and is to roll it out to high-profile business partners.
The two faces of the law
Chrissie Lightfoot argues that the two dominant umbrella business models coming to the fore in legal services can be summed up as “Face to Face” and “Interface”. She says the emergence of a legal franchising model such as face2face solicitors offers a real opportunity for entrepreneurial lawyers to embrace both.
