Law Society to review neglected accreditation schemes
The Law Society is to carry out a complete review and overhaul of every aspect of its accreditation schemes after admitting that “little or no attention” has been paid to them for “some considerable time”.
SRA to review approach to conveyancing, financial stability and international matters
The Solicitors Regulation Authority will next year conduct ‘thematic reviews’ on its approach to conveyancing, the financial viability of law firms, and both English firms’ overseas practice and foreign lawyers working over here, it has emerged.
Ombudsman warned over “chilling effect” on lawyers of publishing complaints records
Lawyers have warned the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) that some clients will end up unrepresented if he adopts a complaints process that involves ‘naming and shaming’. Fear of reputational damage would have a chilling effect on taking on clients perceived to be ‘risky’ and adversely impact on lawyers whose social conscience led them to offer help, they said.
SRA lays out what firms can and cannot do to prepare for ABSs
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has outlined the steps that law firms are able to take under the current rules in preparing to become an alternative business structure. It has updated its July 2009 guidance that just highlighted what solicitors should not do.
Legal Services Board to probe just how independent SRA is from the Law Society
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is set to probe how independent the Solicitors Regulation Authority truly is from the Law Society. In letters to both bodies, LSB chief executive Chris Kenny said its focus would be on ensuring that “independent regulation is being delivered in practice”.
Big Brother? No, we’re here to help
Sam Stein and Oliver Hanmer of the Bar Standards Board outline the theory and practice behind the new system of chambers monitoring, and the tangible benefits barristers will see from it, including a reduced oversight burden from others
High Court overrides privilege and orders solicitor to hand over files to lender
The High Court has ordered a solicitor to hand over client files to a mortgage lender despite his argument that those parts of them relating to the borrowers were covered by legal professional privilege. The judge ruled that express agreements between borrower and lender in each case overrode the right to privilege and confidentiality.
Revealed: SRA set to review whether rules address risks of legal process outsourcing
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is set to launch a “thematic review” of legal process outsourcing next year, Legal Futures can reveal. The review would seek to identify whether there are any particular issues or risks that require changes to the current regulatory requirements or whether certain outsourcing arrangements need particular attention in the supervision process.
EAT: fixed-share partner not an employee
A former fixed-share partner at south-coast law firm Lester Aldridge has lost his appeal against a ruling that he was a partner and not an employee in the limited liability partnership and so unable to claim unfair dismissal.
Insurers to explain risk factors as more evidence of discrimination surfaces
Professional indemnity insurers are to provide guidance for solicitors on the way the risk they pose is assessed as part of a push to ensure there is no discrimination in the renewal process. Following a meeting called by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Association of British Insurers also agreed to work with its members to review their proposal forms and the underpinning criteria used to assess risk, and review and report on the equality and diversity work undertaken by their members.
