BSB to focus on four key areas of compliance as it rolls out chambers monitoring
Every chambers in England and Wales is to be quizzed on their approach to equality and diversity as part of a new monitoring scheme being rolled out by the Bar Standards Board. The 791 chambers (of which 391 are registered as sole practitioners) are also to face questions on how they handle complaints, their policies on pupillage, and compliance with anti-money laundering rules.
RBS: “huge opportunity” for big brands to dominate £15bn legal services market
There is a £15bn market in consumer and small business legal services and big brands “have the potential to dominate” it in the future, a senior representative of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) said this week.
Legal advice revolution? New £50 service for big brands to sell to customers revealed
Some of the biggest brand names in the UK will shortly have access to a legal advice and assistance package for their customers costing around £50 a year, Legal Futures can reveal. CPP Group plc, which provides services via over 200 businesses worldwide – including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Barclays and HSBC – has developed a product which will give consumers access to everyday consumer advice, a range of legal services, and relevant membership discounts and offers.
High Court grants SRA first order to force bank to provide information
The High Court has granted the first order requiring a third party to provide the Solicitors Regulation Authority with information, it has emerged. SRA papers reveal that the High Court granted the order against a bank to assist in a serious and continuing investigation.
Law firms will have eight weeks to resolve complaints before ombudsman can step in
Lawyers will have a maximum of eight weeks to resolve complaints before the Legal Ombudsman will agree to investigate, the new service has confirmed, but it may ask them why they did not deal with them even quicker.
CML and Law Society committee look at making title insurance compulsory
The Council of Mortgage Lenders is investigating the case for making title insurance compulsory for all conveyancing transactions, it has emerged, as a Law Society committee said it should be looked at as a way to reduce solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance premiums.
SRA “forced” to require firms to tell existing clients about new rights to complain
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been forced “under duress” to approve a rule change under which solicitors will have to inform existing clients of their right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman, despite efforts to persuade the Legal Services Board to change its position.
SRA in surprise move to revisit guidance on pre-ABS deals with external investors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to revisit at its next meeting the question of whether to relax its rules on preparations in advance of the launch of alternative business structures next October.
Guess who’s coming to dinner? LSB’s register of hospitality revealed
A range of law firms and commercial interests have been wining and dining representatives of the Legal Services Board (LSB), according to information released to Legal Futures under the Freedom of Information Act.
Revealed: Law Society considers aptitude test to reduce numbers on LPC
The Law Society is considering introducing an aptitude test for entry onto the legal practice course that will reduce student numbers, Legal Futures can reveal. Other initiatives being examined are a “warts and all” guide to qualification as a solicitor and incentives for firms to provide training contracts.
