Barristers tell public: come to us directly and save a lot of money
A London chambers has launched a website aimed at encouraging individuals, businesses and even the government to save “a lot of money” by instructing its immigration barristers directly. It is one of the first efforts to actively market public access to the Bar.
Licensed conveyancers on top as Land Registry figures expose “cottage industry”
The fragmented nature of the conveyancing market has been laid bare by figures showing that nearly a third of the 9,000 legal practices which registered dealings with the Land Registry last year handled 10 or fewer transfers. While MyHomeMove made almost 10,000 applications for transfers in 2010, 834 firms only made one application the whole 12 months, according to Land Registry figures.
Lawyers, accountants, surveyors and others join forces to promote the professions
The Law Society and Bar Council are among a group of professional bodies which are coming together to improve public and stakeholder appreciation of the contribution made by professionals to society, Legal Futures can reveal. The group – called Professions 4 Good – is to make social mobility and fair access to the professions the priority issue for its initial campaign work when it formally launches in a few weeks’ time.
Concerns over backlog at Legal Services Ombudsman
There are concerns about the outstanding level of complaints at the outgoing Legal Services Ombudsman, Legal Futures has learned. Zahida Manzoor’s personal contract comes to an end on 2 March, and her office in Manchester will close on 31 March, with a number of cases likely to be outstanding – although Ms Manzoor says her office has been performing to a high standard in difficult circumstances.
High Court: patent attorneys have wider rights of audience than previously thought
Patent attorneys have litigation rights in a wider range of cases than previously thought, including disputes over license agreements and related intellectual property, the High Court has ruled in what is believed to be the first judgement on the scope of patent attorney litigators’ rights.
Lawyers should make common cause with us on key issues, says consumer champion
More information to help consumers select a solicitor, freedom to choose a lawyer under legal expenses insurance, and the regulation of contingency fees are all areas where the profession and the public should work together, a leading consumer champion claimed last week.
LSB presses ahead with plan to regulate ABSs amid concerns over Law Society vote
The Legal Services Board is pushing ahead with preparations to regulate alternative business structures itself because of fears that the Law Society council will next month block the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s plan to become an ABS regulator, Legal Futures has learned.
Escalating number of allegations over financial misconduct by firms, says SRA
Law firms are facing an escalating level of accusations over financial misconduct, with claims on the Solicitors Compensation Fund also doubling in a year to £163m, figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority have revealed.
Government u-turn on giving complaints data to LSC, JAC, QC body and others
In an embarrassing last-minute u-turn, government lawyers have blocked bodies including the Judicial Appointments Commission, QC Appointments and Legal Services Commission from receiving sensitive data on complaints against lawyers, Legal Futures has discovered.
Three-month extension to insurance should replace ARP, suggests Law Society
A temporary extension of cover should replace the pooled liability insurers have for struggling law firms, the Law Society has proposed. The extension of existing cover should be for a minimum of three months and its cost based on the current premium.
