“A survey shows that most law firms have not planned to change their pro bono activity to respond to the cuts in legal aid.”
The Guardian, 6th November 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The tough economic climate, coupled with the threat to frontline advice agencies from local authority and legal aid cuts, has dramatically increased demand for free legal help. National Pro Bono Week, which starts on 5 November, will focus attention on the question ‘is something better than nothing?’ as law firms of all sizes explore how they can best respond, and in-house counsel press for regulatory change so they can offer more pro bono support.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 25th October 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“As a solicitor, who set up a firm with two other family lawyers in 2005 primarily to deal with family legal aid cases for the mixed housing area of Shirley in Southampton where we practice, I was very concerned when I heard of the proposed new reforms for family legal aid work, writes Wendy Hewstone. I am a member of the Legal Aid Practitioner Group committee and have the Law Society council seat for the group so was probably more aware of the proposed changes than many and have seen and responded to numerous consultation papers.”
LegalVoice, 15th October 2012
Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk
“Clients of law firms are scared to complain when things go wrong and are confused about the complaints system.”
The Guardian, 15th October 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The immediate past-president of the American Bar Association has strongly denounced alternative business structures, arguing that non-lawyer investment in law firms compromises the client’s best interests and undermines professional independence.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 4th October 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“The Legal Ombudsman has today published an online list of complaints relating to 770 law firms across England and Wales.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 17th September 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“There are events in the life-cycle of any business that have the potential to snowball into a crisis of unforeseen proportions. It could be a bad set of financial results or a scuppered merger. Or perhaps employee lay-offs, a high-profile desertion to a rival or allegations of misconduct by senior staff. Or it might be a testing issue with a client. But while difficult business decisions may not be avoidable, especially in this tough economic climate, a crisis played out in the media can be managed or averted by taking the right steps.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 6th September 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“A tribute to outgoing Law Society President, John Wotton; a welcome to his successor, Lucy Scott‐Moncrieff, defender of the High Street law firm; examining the aims of Price Competitive Tendering and the likely results both for the Bar and for justice.”
Full story (PDF)
The Bar Council, August 2012
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“A new law firm which promises clients fixed fees and immediate face-to-face meetings with barristers has become the latest alternative business structure (ABS). Red Bar Law was formed in September last year and applied to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for ABS status in January. Today the SRA confirmed it has become the ninth organisation to be granted a licence, which will be effective from 10 July.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd July 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Legal insurance and conditional and fixed-fee arrangements aren’t serving people’s best interests.”
The Guardian, 19th July 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The suicide last year of a senior local authority solicitor who felt unable to cope with the demands placed on him following a 30% cut to his department’s budget shocked the profession.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 21st June 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“The scramble for new domain names is likely to bring a rash of work for specialist IP, media and technology lawyers.”
The Lawyer, 18th June 2012
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“The intention of this consultation document is to ensure that there are adequate compensation arrangements for SRA regulated ABS firms after 31 December 2012.
Also included in the document is a draft Order published in accordance with section 70 of the LSA.”
Legal Services Board, 14th June 2012
Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk
“Organisations will be able to obtain free access to some publishers’ digital content through their law firm under a new licensing option on offer by the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA).”
OUT-LAW.com, 8th June 2012
Source: www.out-law.com
“What developments have there been now that the dust has settled on the Tullett litigation?”
Full story (PDF)
11 KBW, 1st June 2012
Source: www.11kbw.com
“A Court of Appeal ruling on anti-money-laundering obligations will bring relief for businesses, including law firms, and remind lawyers of the importance of having appropriate systems to evidence concerns leading to suspicious activity reports (SARs).”
Law Society’s Gazette, 24th May 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Withers has been refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court a dispute brought against it over client money.”
The Lawyer, 11th April 2012
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“The legal profession’s culture of ‘casual sexism’ and high levels of drinking has led women and ethnic minority solicitors to adopt special strategies to overcome institutional discrimination in law firms, researchers funded by the Legal Services Board claim today.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 11th April 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
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