5% Solution Group set to meet Lodder over demand to cut Bar Council costs
The 5% Solution Group – a barrister lobby looking to reduce the level of practising certificate fee – is to hold off calling an extraordinary general meeting of the Bar Council pending a meeting with Bar chairman Peter Lodder QC.
Clegg: legal profession is not doing enough on social mobility
The legal profession “is not doing enough” to make itself more representative of society, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg claimed yesterday. While “intergenerational social mobility is the principal objective of the Coalition’s social policy”, government cannot do this alone, he said.
Legal Services Board in first group of quangos subject to new government review process
The Legal Services Board is in the first tranche of quangos subject to a new triennial review process, Cabinet Office minister Frances Maude announced last week. It will review whether the board’s functions are required and other tests of continuing relevance.
Ombudsman tells "phoenix" firms: you can run, but you cannot hide
The Legal Ombudsman has warned “phoenix” law firms that seek to avoid the consequences of their actions by closing down and reopening – and even changing regulators – that it can still pursue them for past complaints.
Bar aptitude test could be a "one-time-only opportunity" for students to prove themselves
Students taking an aptitude test designed to weed out those likely to fail the Bar training course could be given a once-only opportunity to pass, it has emerged, after members of the Bar Standards Board raised questions about the policy of allowing unlimited attempts.
Cost discouraging SMEs from going to court but many don’t know about CFAs, survey finds
Worries about the cost of going to court are preventing small and medium-sized businesses from enforcing their legal rights, yet many remain unaware that commercial disputes can be funded through conditional fee agreements, new research has shown.
Bar Council accuses solicitors over referral fee pressure and "abuse"
Some solicitors are putting barristers under “increasing pressure” to enter into referral fee arrangements, while others are trying to take “improper advantage” of advocates by abusing the ‘one case, one fee’ rules in criminal work, the Bar Council has complained.
Solicitors urged to join Portas drive to save the high street with the Co-op set for massive expansion
Solicitors should get involved in Mary Portas’s plans to revive the high street – especially with the looming prospect of a massive increase in the Co-op’s ability to provide face-to-face legal advice, a law firm group has said.
Legal Services Board levy set to fall as it reins in costs
The Legal Services Board is planning to reduce its levy on the legal profession by 9% next year, it announced yesterday while outlining its plans for 2012/13 and wider strategic objectives for the next three years.
Law Society targets BTE test case as competition watchdog seeks action over way legal cover is sold
The Law Society is targeting a fresh attack on before-the-event legal expenses insurers by seeking out a test case that aims to loosen their grip on policyholders’ choice of solicitor, it has emerged. The news comes as the Office of Fair Trading called for improvements in the way insurers sell the product.
