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Solicitors do not trust their regulator enough to raise concerns with it or think it will act if they do, the Law Society has claimed, offering to act as a formal conduit between the two. It also accused the Solicitors Regulation Authority of acting in a way that can seriously damage a solicitor’s reputation

Would-be alternative business structures unhappy with decisions taken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority will be able to appeal to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, it has been decided, in a significant step towards the introduction of ABSs.

There will no doubt be some finger pointing after our revelation today that the Solicitors Regulation Authority will not be in a position to start licensing alternative business structures on 6 October. Those with business plans worked up on the basis of 6 October will be rightly annoyed, and it hardly sends out an impressive signal.

Solicitors facing disciplinary proceedings could find it easier to challenge hearsay evidence after the High Court ruled that a General Medical Council panel had breached the claimant’s right to a fair hearing by admitting such evidence.

The Solicitor Sole Practitioners Group has backed away from its threat to call a special general meeting and postal vote of the profession to gauge support for alternative business structures (ABSs). Meanwhile, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has refuted suggestions that it shifted position on how it will regulate ABSs ahead of this week’s Law Society vote.