The profession’s salvation?
Many lawyers entered the law to make a difference. Now is their chance, especially at this unique time in the profession’s history, with the Salvation Army set to launch a commercial law firm in Australia, says Scottish solicitor Raymond McLennan. Compulsory pro bono could be the answer.
Barristers slow to join LDPs
There has been a slow move to make up barristers as partners in legal disciplinary practices, Legal Futures can reveal. Figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority indicate that just nine barristers have so far become partners.
Compulsory indemnity insurance under scrutiny in “root and branch” SRA review
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is to carry out a wide-ranging review of financial protection during which the very existence of compulsory insurance for solicitors will be questioned.
Lawyers cut out by consumers not realising their problems are ‘legal’, survey finds
Consumers do not realise that many of the problems they face are ‘legal’ and so do not consider approaching a lawyer for help, new research has revealed.
Conveyancers “ill-prepared” to deal with anti-money laundering obligations, says expert
Many conveyancing law firms are ill-prepared to comply with anti-money laundering obligations despite property being the number one target of criminals seeking to invest the proceeds of crime, a leading expert in the field told an AML conference in London last week.
Can you spare a tenner?
This week’s Question of Ethics from the Solicitors Regulation Authority looks at whether a firm can unilaterally dispose of a small amount left in client account.
Criminal barristers need to transform into “litigation units” to survive, says bar chief
The criminal bar needs to transform itself into “fully functioning litigation units” within the next 12 to 24 months if it wants to survive, the chairman of the Bar Council has warned in a paper that sets out his vision for how the bar needs to change to meet the challenges of the Legal Services Act.
High street solicitors need to be “suspicious and paranoid” to avoid AML errors
High street solicitors must adopt an attitude of suspicion and paranoia to avoid becoming “collateral damage” in police efforts to clamp down on fraud, an anti-money laundering (AML) conference in London heard last week.
Scottish MPs reject 100% external ownership, seek professional majority in ABSs
Alternative business structures (ABSs) in Scotland are set to need majority ownership of solicitors or other professionals after a vote in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
SOCA praises quality of solicitors’ SARs
Suspicious activity reports submitted by solicitors have led to the successful prosecution of frauds worth millions of pounds, according to the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
