“Blurred distinctions” as legal aid solicitors do their own advocacy
The distinction between solicitors and barristers is becoming increasingly “blurred” in civil legal aid cases as solicitors do their own advocacy, research for the government has found.
Government “at risk of breaching duty” to provide access to justice
The Ministry of Justice is at risk of not meeting its statutory duty for civil legal aid to deliver access to justice, according to research it commissioned.
Tribunal revokes SRA rebuke of solicitor over client complaint
An SRA adjudicator was wrong to rebuke a solicitor for supposedly trying to prevent a client from reporting him to the regulator and Legal Ombudsman, the SDT has held.
High public confidence in barristers falters among ethnic minorities
Public confidence in barristers is high, but lower among those from minority backgrounds, especially when it comes to perceptions of whether they treat everyone fairly.
SRA “unlikely to take action” on solicitors who refuse fossil fuel work
It is “unlikely” that the SRA would take regulatory action against a solicitor who refuses to work on fossil fuel matters for reasons of conscience, counsel’s opinion has declared.
Minister sets out government’s vision for future of civil justice
The government would like to see more pre-action initiatives like the Official Injury Claim portal as part of its vision for the future of civil justice, minister Heidi Alexander said today.
Online divorce service enters regulation with ABS licence
An online service specialising in uncontested divorces has become an alternative business structure regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
“Manifestly incompetent” solicitor struck off over billing and accounts
A “manifestly incompetent” law firm owner who made false claims to the Legal Aid Agency and kept her firm’s accounts in a state of chaos has been struck off.
Financial turnaround at leading PI firm as it makes whiplash claims pay
Leading personal injury law firm Minster Law said yesterday that it has completed a three-year transformation that allows it to run low-value whiplash claims profitably.
Government announces £20m boost in civil legal aid funding
The government today announced plans for an extra £20m for civil legal aid – specifically housing and immigration work – the first increase in funding since 1996.
