Legal Ombudsman
LeO struggles with case closures amid high staff turnover
The Legal Ombudsman is falling further behind in meeting case closure targets amid high staff turnover, it has emerged. It closed 6,206 cases in 2018-19, compared to a target of 8,000.
Give clients a cost benefit analysis of their cases, LeO says
Lawyers must provide their clients with a cost benefit analysis so they can understand the choices available to them, the Legal Ombudsman has said, also warning lawyers to be “crystal clear” over charges.
Developers pledge proper legal advice for leaseholders
More than 40 leading property developers and freeholders – but no lawyers as yet – have signed a government-backed pledge that highlights the duty of conveyancers to act in the best interests of clients.
Firm told to compensate transgender client for using birth name
A law firm that addressed a transgender woman by her birth name has been ordered to pay compensation by the Legal Ombudsman.
Some conveyancers “too close to developer clients”, MPs warn
Some conveyancing solicitors have become “too close to developers” and do not put their clients’ interests first, MPs claimed today. They suggested solicitors should part-fund compensation for mis-sold leases.
Law Society calls on LeO to focus on rulebook changes
The Law Society has called on the Legal Ombudsman to make “concrete, specific plans” on how it going to cope with the new SRA rulebook, which will allow solicitors to practise from unregulated firms.
Getting it right first time: LeO rolls out new complaints approach
A new operational model for handling complaints, piloted last year by the Legal Ombudsman, has boosted quality and efficiency, and helped it get “the work right first time”.
LeO to focus on improving quality – but delays remain
The Legal Ombudsman is to focus on improving the quality of its decision making as its caseload falls from 8,000 to a predicted 7,400 in 2019-20. But delays continue to dog the service.
Legal Ombudsman eyes publishing full complaints rulings
The Legal Ombudsman is to explore publishing its full decisions on complaints against lawyers, rather than just brief details as now, it has emerged.
Legal Ombudsman set finally to clear complaints backlog
The Legal Ombudsman will finally be able to look the profession in the eye again next year when it clears the backlog of complaints, its chair has said.
Blog
Five key issues to consider when adopting an AI-based legal tech
As generative AI starts to play a bigger role in our working lives, there are some key issues that your law firm needs to consider when adopting an AI-based legal tech.
Bulk litigation – not always working in consumers interests
For consumers to get the benefit, bulk litigation needs to be done well, and we are increasingly concerned that there are significant problems in some areas of this market.
ABSs, cost and audits – fixing regulation after Axiom Ince
A feature of law firm collapses and frauds has sometimes been the over-concentration of power in outdated and overburdened systems of control.
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