News
Lords urge HMRC to delay LLP tax changes
An influential House of Lords committee has added its voice to calls for the government to delay its partnership tax reforms until 2015, so as to allow LLPs time to adjust to the changes.
LSB hits out at “jumble” of disciplinary regimes, but admits it can do little to improve them
The sanctions and appeals regimes of the frontline regulators are an inconsistent “jumble” of different powers that may protect lawyers rather than consumers, according to the Legal Services Board.
Moorhead: lawyers not as superior as they may think they are
Lawyers’ belief that they provide better-quality services than non-lawyers or are more ethical than other businesses is “highly questionable”, a leading legal academic claimed last night.
Second phase of apprenticeships scheme opens door to solicitor and conveyancer qualification
Key players in the legal profession have welcomed the second phase of a government-backed scheme that will create apprenticeships which for the first time will lead to qualification as a solicitor, while a new apprenticeship in conveyancing will also be developed.
Lord Chief Justice floats shift to inquisitorial system
The Lord Chief Justice has called for radical and bold action to protect the justice system in the face of retrenchment by the state, including considering a change to a more inquisitorial system in which judges question evidence.
Online legal service targets web commerce market with ‘law in minutes’
A long-standing seller of legal documents is set to launch a venture selling simple packages of documents aimed at website developers and people running online businesses.
Slater & Gordon focuses on “consolidation” after acquisitions spree – but what about Simpson Millar?
Slater & Gordon is to concentrate on improving the performance of its UK operations, after an acquisitions spree that it claims has given it a 5% share of the claimant PI market. It remains unclear what progress is being made with the previously announced deal to buy Simpson Millar.
LSB calls for 50-fold increase in SRA fining power
A consultation on a fresh attempt by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to increase its powers to fine law firms has closed with familiar battle lines drawn, with the Legal Services Board backing the move and the Law Society opposing it.
Gulf opens between profession and consumer groups over LSB lay chairs proposal
The Legal Services Board’s consultation on its plan to oblige frontline regulators to have lay chairs has met a barrage of opposition from regulators and lawyers, pitted against consumer advocates, which strongly backed the measure.
The future of working in law: ‘agile’ lawyers, entrepreneurs and smaller firms
The legal profession is poised on the brink of an employment revolution that will unleash a “pent-up productivity” which will bring it into line with other industries, a report has claimed.
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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