New research on aptitude tests warns of potential inherent bias
There are a number of risks and dangers associated with using an aptitude test to select law students – particularly that it will favour those from privileged and certain class and ethnic backgrounds – a report commissioned by the Legal Services Board has concluded.
Client account interest safe as legal aid lawyers face £430m income cut
The government today dropped the idea of creaming off interest from solicitors’ client accounts to offset the cost of legal aid. The decision will come as a small consolation to legal aid law firms, which the Ministry of Justice impact assessment says will earn, along with barristers, £430m less from legal aid than they do now.
Consumers happy with lawyers’ services but don’t trust them, says survey
The great majority of consumers who have used legal services are satisfied with the outcome, although many do not feel they received good value for money, a survey has found. Worryingly for lawyers likely to face competition from trusted brands after October, however, it suggested significant public distrust of lawyers.
BSB: legal aid cuts driving more litigants-in-person and gripes over opposing barristers
Complaints against barristers by litigants-in-person forced by legal aid cuts to represent themselves are rising fast, according to the Bar Standards Board. Many result from a misunderstanding of the role of opposition barristers. The Justice Bill, containing more cuts, should be published today.
Exclusive: LPC aptitude test offers “number of benefits”, says Law Society report
There could be several benefits from using an aptitude test to exclude law students who are most likely to fail the legal practice course (LPC), according to a report for the Law Society. However, it said linking a test to the likelihood of gaining a training contract would be “more difficult” to justify.
Avoiding judicial evaluation under QASA will cost advocates dear – literally
Magistrates’ court advocates who choose an assessment centre route to progress under the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) could pay as much as 15 times more than those who undergo judicial evaluation.
Poor communication tops consumer complaints as LeO reports on first six months
Poor communication between lawyers and their clients was “writ large” as a theme running throughout cases brought to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) in its first six months, the chief ombudsman has reported. It launched nearly 4,000 investigations by the end of March, from more than 38,000 calls.
SRA receives green light to license ABSs
The Legal Services Board is to recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the Law Society – through the Solicitors Regulation Authority – become an alternative business structure licensing authority. However, there has been a disagreement over the separate business rule.
LSB to reduce levy on profession as Law Society reveals £57m surplus
The Legal Services Board is to reduce its funding call on the legal profession after coming in under-budget for the 2010/11 financial year. The news comes as the Law Society revealed a £57m surplus for 2010 and that chief executive Des Hudson enjoyed a 14% pay rise.
In-Deed eyes up expansion into will-writing and personal injury work
In-Deed, the new online conveyancing service from Rightmove founder Harry Hill, is eyeing up expansion into the will-writing and personal injury market. The company listed on AIM today with a market capitalisation of £8.6m.
