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I thought I would post an update on what I have heard about the Coalition’s thinking about the legal services reforms – there’s nothing concrete, because ministers are still not talking about this subject publicly. This comes just from being round and about and talking to those who are (or at least claim to be) in the know, so I can’t vouch for its total accuracy.

Consumers of legal services are not tempted by the prospect of household name brands moving into legal services, research has found. It also revealed that ‘expense’ or ‘expensive’ was the word most commonly associated with the word ‘solicitor’, while almost half of those interviewed felt the experience represented poor value for money.

Scottish solicitors have now voted to allow a minority of external ownership of law firms, it emerged today. In the latest twist of the ongoing saga of members of the Law Society of Scotland trying to find a compromise, two motions were narrowly passed at today’s AGM in favour of alternative business structures, but with inconsistent terms.

There are to be four extra core professional duties when the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) unveils a slimmed-down Code of Conduct later this week, it has emerged. The draft 40-page code – which will form part of an online Solicitors Handbook bringing together all of the SRA’s regulatory regime – is at the heart of next year’s move to outcomes-focused regulation.

Today marks the start of the new claims process for uncontested road traffic accident claims worth between £1,000 and £10,000. It promises speedier and cheaper justice for minor injury victims. For law firms it offers great cash flow, quicker turnaround on cases and the possibility of delegating to more junior staff. What’s not to love? But isn’t that just the kind of work that would-be ABSs want?