Law firms switch indemnity insurers in “more plentiful” market
The proportion of law firms switching insurer for lower premiums at last year’s October renewal rose significantly with capacity “much more plentiful”, with good signs for this year too.
LeO halves amount of time that staff need to be in office
The Legal Ombudsman is bucking the wider trend of requiring staff to spend more time in the office and is instead halving it to the equivalent of one day a week.
Carr floats formal mediation council for civil and commercial work
The Lady Chief Justice has suggested that a new mediation council should be set up for civil and commercial matters to bolster England and Wales’s status as a leading international mediation centre.
Law Society and Bar Council attack LSB’s “huge” budget hike
The Law Society and the Bar Council have strongly attacked plans by the Legal Services Board to increase its budget by 14% to over £6m for the year ahead.
Solicitor “cannot complain” to JCIO about judge’s criticism
The High Court has rejected a solicitor and his client’s bid to challenge the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office’s refusal to entertain their complaints about three Court of Appeal judges.
SRA issues sanctions for breaches of undertakings
The SRA yesterday handed out a fine and a rebuke for breaching undertakings, one relating to property transactions and the other to a divorce matter.
Third bolt-on acquisition for private equity-backed law firm
East Midlands law firm Nelsons has completed its third local acquisition, in the wake of its private equity owner adding another regional practice to its network.
BSB: No need for “anxiety” over barrister training standards
The evidence “does not support anxiety about standards” for qualifying as a barrister, despite rising numbers seeking to do so, the Bar Standards Board has said.
PE-backed Lawfront expands to South-East with latest acquisition
Private equity-backed Lawfront has made its fifth major acquisition and expanded to the South-East by acquiring Kent firm Brachers.
Lawyers and regulators oppose 10% rise in LeO’s budget
The profession has come out strongly against Legal Ombudsman plans for a 10% budget hike, arguing that throwing more money at it has not worked to date.
