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An action plan to deal with a range of equality and diversity problems in the solicitors’ profession – from pay inequality and firms’ billing practices, to flexible working and career progression – is being drawn up within the Law Society, Legal Futures can reveal.

Our regular round-up of developments you need to know about includes a call for advice on voluntary quality schemes, the opening up of the legal market in Korea, the College of Law’s fast-track LPC, the continuing fight over the scope of legal professional privilege, CQS hitting 200 firms and much more.

In many ways this week’s launch of online conveyancing service In-deed gives us pointers to the way in which the legal market may develop. The brainchild of non-lawyers, albeit non-lawyers well versed in the conveyancing market, it is slick, jargon-free and professionally marketed. Lawyers will get sick of hearing this word very soon, but it is about creating a brand.

Legislation to implement the legal aid and the Jackson reforms will be introduced to Parliament in the next few weeks, it has emerged. The Ministry of Justice’s updated 2011-15 business plan, published on Friday, says legislation will be introduced in June.

The Law Society is set to examine the future direction of pro bono work in the wake of legal aid cuts, Legal Futures can reveal. It will also look at the role of pro bono in helping distinguish solicitors from post-Legal Services Act competitors and how corporate clients can better understand their legal advisers’ pro bono activity.