Legal Services Act
Former army lawyer takes “military approach” to legal services
A former major in Army Legal Services has described how taking a “military approach” has helped him when launching his law firm this week.
Law firms “complacent” about sharing technology
Most law firms are “complacent” about sharing technology with clients, according to the partner who leads Shoosmiths new division offering a range of legal and non-legal products.
Taylor Rose targets further growth after £5m capital injection
Fast-growing consumer law firm Taylor Rose MW is eyeing up further acquisitions and office openings over the coming year after receiving investment totalling nearly £5m.
Pandemic has left people “unable to access legal advice”, say peers
Some people have been “unable to access legal advice at all during the pandemic” to enforce their rights, peers have found, with the number of lawyers doing legal aid work at risk of falling.
Legal Services Board sets 10-year goal to correct market problems
Changes to the regulation of lawyers – including altering the list of reserved legal activities – are part of Legal Services Board’s vision for the next 10 years of a changing legal market.
Strong backing for lawyers and chambers sanctioned by China
The prime minister, the Lord Chancellor and the heads of the Bar Council and Law Society have condemned the Chinese government for imposing sanctions on two QCs and a London barristers’ chambers.
PII increase “makes case” for running unregulated practice alongside ABS
A legal business that uniquely runs both a regulated and unregulated practice says a 220% increase in the cost of its professional indemnity insurance justifies the way it operates.
Barrister in plagiarism row admits “technical breach of copyright”
The barrister at the heart of a dispute between law firms over a plagiarised letter of claim said he had acknowledged a “technical breach of copyright” but that his apology had not been accepted.
Groundbreaking family barrister wins £50,000 innovation award
A barrister who co-founded a groundbreaking business that allows separating couples to obtain advice from a single legal expert at any point in the process, has won a £50,000 Women in Innovation award.
No clear priorities: MPs doubt ability of MoJ to manage justice system
The Ministry of Justice faces “significant risks across the full range of its services, without a clear sense of prioritisation”, MPs on the influential public accounts committee have warned.
Acquisition no12 for Knights amid activity at insurance ABSs
Listed law firm Knights continued its consolidation play yesterday by announcing a £5.3m deal to buy Surrey firm Mundays, as we also report on activity at two insurance-led ABSs.
Solicitors’ charity bids to counter “devastating” impact of Covid
The effects of furlough or lack of work in the past year has had a “devastating” impact on solicitors, with a record number turning to The Solicitors’ Charity for help, the organisation said today.
Legal Ombudsman in last chance saloon after budget increase approved
Approval for a 13% increase in the budget of the Legal Ombudsman has come with a warning that it must make deliver this time or face losing its role in dealing with complaints against lawyers.
Embracing online reviews “changed firm’s culture for the better”
Embracing online reviews can trigger a positive, service-driven culture change at law firms, the practice director of a leading West Country firm told last week’s Legal Futures webinar.
ABSs become a reality in America as Arizona approves the first two
America now has its first two alternative business structures, approved in the state of Arizona, to go alongside an increasing variety of businesses in a regulatory sandbox in Utah.