Category: legal services

Review of published evidence on the equality of pay in legal services – Legal Services Board

Posted February 28th, 2013 in diversity, equal pay, legal services, news, reports by sally

“Studies of earnings in the legal profession have consistently shown that women earn less than men and that individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups earn less than their white colleagues. This is confirmed in a review by the Legal Services Board (LSB) of the quantitative data available on the earnings of legal professionals in England and Wales. The LSB published the Review of published evidence on the equality of pay in legal services on 28 February 2013.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 28th February 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Divorce costs warning issued to lawyers – The Guardian

Posted February 28th, 2013 in costs, divorce, families, legal ombudsman, legal services, news by sally

“Some solicitors are failing to advise divorcees to settle courtroom battles before costs rise out of control because of the ’emotional rawness’ of those involved, according to the legal ombudsman.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ombudsman warns of mis-selling risk around family law services – Legal Futures

Posted February 28th, 2013 in complaints, costs, divorce, families, legal ombudsman, legal services, news by sally

“Innovation in family law services is working for consumers but could in time lead to mis-selling and hidden costs as complex financing and legal services structures emerge, the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has warned.”

Full story

Legal Futures, 28th February 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Lessons from Legal Regulation for Leveson – Legal Services Board

Posted February 22nd, 2013 in inquiries, interception, legal services, media, privacy, public interest, speeches by sally

Lessons from Legal Regulation for Leveson (PDF)

The Chief Executive speaks at the Regulatory Policy Institutes Hertford Seminar in media regulation post-Leveson.

Legal Services Board, 12th February 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Neuberger warns against risk of profits before principles in the ABS world – Legal Futures

Posted February 22nd, 2013 in alternative business structures, judges, legal aid, legal services, news by sally

“The president of the Supreme Court has urged the legal profession not to lose sight of its fundamental principles in the rush for modernisation, warning about the risks of pressure from “hard-nosed businessmen” who may invest in law firms.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 22nd February 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

LSB recommends regulation of will-writing activities – Legal Services Board

Posted February 15th, 2013 in consumer protection, legal services, Legal Services Board, news, wills by sally

“The Legal Services Board is today [13 February] recommending to the Lord Chancellor that will writing activities should be made subject to regulation, so that the significant risks consumers currently face when using these critical services is reduced.”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 13th February 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Bypassing lawyers would save £1.5bn, insurer claims – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 15th, 2013 in insurance, legal services, news, personal injuries, road traffic by sally

“Removing lawyers altogether from the small-claims process would save each motorist an average £60 a year on their car insurance premiums, a major insurer today [14 February] claimed.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 14th February 2013

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

LSB warns regulators over mis-selling risk with damages-based agreements – Litigation Futures

Posted February 15th, 2013 in consumer protection, costs, damages, fees, legal services, news by sally

“The Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar Standards Board and other regulators must consider whether action is needed to ensure that damages-based agreements (DBAs) are not mis-sold to consumers, the Legal Services Board has warned.”

Full story

Litigation Futures, 15th February 2013

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

What the Supreme Court’s Prudential ruling means for insurers – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 13th, 2013 in claims management, confidentiality, insurance, legal services, news, privilege by sally

“FOCUS: The decision by the Supreme Court last month that legal professional privilege would not apply to advice from non-lawyers confirms how important it is for insurers to maximise the value of legal privilege.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 13th February 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

UK law is a booming export but at home crime work doesn’t pay – The Guardian

Posted February 8th, 2013 in legal aid, legal profession, legal services, news, remuneration by sally

“While financial law mushrooms, legal aid cuts are threatening basic access to the system and the future of high street solicitors.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

City solicitors strike deal with commercial Bar over special terms of business – Legal Futures

Posted February 1st, 2013 in barristers, contracts, indemnities, legal services, news, solicitors by tracey

“The City of London Law Society (CLLS) and Commercial Bar Association (Combar) have published model terms of business for barristers instructed in commercial cases after more than two years of negotiation.”

Full story

Legal Futures, 1st February 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Call centre justice – LegalVoice

Posted January 31st, 2013 in law centres, legal services, news, telecommunications by sally

“The Ministry of Justice is not that interested in research-based policy at the moment, writes Roger Smith. Better in the current environment to stick to prejudice; the elevation of austerity as the sole goal; and stagger through to tomorrow. Hence, no one, least of all Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling, is interested in what anyone has actually ever found out about telephone legal advice hotlines. We are two months away from LASPO Day when face to face advice begins to disappear from the High Street, at least for poor people, just as surely as Woolies and Comet. There is no time left for reflection, let alone reconsideration.”

Full story

LegalVoice, 31st January 2013

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

A new generation of lawyers – LegalVoice

Posted January 30th, 2013 in alternative business structures, legal aid, legal profession, legal services, news by sally

“As the Skills Minister Matthew Hancock gives his backing for Apprentice Lawyers, Nick Skeet of Skills for Justice discusses the impact on the industry and what this could mean for legal aid.”

Full story

LegalVoice, 30th January 2013

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

Alternative business structures: an uncertain future? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

Posted January 21st, 2013 in alternative business structures, barristers, competition, legal services, news, regulations, solicitors by sally

“The government’s White Paper preceding the Legal Services Act, based on the conclusions of Sir David Clementi’s review, promoted the concept of alternative business structures (ABSs) based on an expectation of a glowing future: that consumers would have more choice, and would benefit from reduced prices, better access to justice, improved levels of service, greater convenience, and that in consequence there would be increased consumer confidence in the quality of legal services. The suppliers of legal services would benefit from increased access to finance, a better spread of risk, increased flexibility, the opportunity to recruit and reward high quality non-legal staff, and there would be greater opportunities for new legal professionals.”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 21st January 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

LSB responds to OFT report which outlines the changes to the regulation of legal services brought about by the Legal Services Act 2007 – Legal Services Board

Posted January 18th, 2013 in legal ombudsman, legal services, Legal Services Board, press releases by tracey

“LSB responds to OFT report which outlines the changes to the regulation of legal services brought about by the Legal Services Act 2007.”

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 18th January 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Courtroom Drama – BBC Unreliable Evidence

Posted January 7th, 2013 in legal profession, legal services, news, theatre by sally

“Following the return of Rumpole to Radio 4, Clive Anderson and his guests discuss how accurately the legal world is depicted in stage and screen dramas. And they discuss the issues which arise when the distinctions between fiction and fact – between Rumpole and reality – become blurred in the public’s mind.”

Listen

BBC Unreliable Evidence, 29th December 2012

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

“Engaged and in control”: Chairman-Elect Maura McGowan QC’s inaugural speech to Bar Council – The Bar Council

Posted December 14th, 2012 in barristers, legal services, rule of law, speeches by tracey

“Engaged and in control: Chairman-Elect Maura McGowan QC’s inaugural speech to Bar Council, delivered on 10 December 2012.”

Full speech

The Bar Council, 12th December 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

LSB responds to consultation by revising plans for regulation of special bodies – Legal Services Board

Posted December 10th, 2012 in consultations, consumer protection, legal services, Legal Services Board, licensing, news, Solicitors Regulation Authority by sally

“Special bodies – including not-for profit agencies and community interest companies –
providing reserved legal activities will not become licensed under the Legal Services Act 2007
until at least April 2015, the LSB confirms today [5 December].”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 5th December 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Voluntary sector should be able to charge – LSB – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted December 6th, 2012 in charities, consultations, fees, law centres, legal services, news by sally

“Not-for-profit groups should be allowed to charge for provision of legal services, the Legal Services Board has said.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 6th December 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Commission to examine effect of legal aid cuts as demand for service surges – The Guardian

Posted December 3rd, 2012 in citizens advice bureaux, civil justice, legal aid, legal services, news by sally

“An independent commission is being launched on Monday to examine how to cope with deep cuts to legal aid at a time of complex benefits reforms. The Low Commission, named after its chairman, Lord Low, will hold its first public meeting this week as law centres and Citizens Advice centres across the UK begin turning away those seeking advice.”

Full story

The Guardian, 3rd December 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk