“Weak competition” and legal culture behind lack of external investment through ABS, says LSB report (LF)
The low level of external investment in law firms since alternative business structures were allowed more than five years ago “may be a symptom of weak competition in the market […]
Consumer protections swept away by regulator
News that the Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to push ahead with changes to the rules governing solicitors was greeted with dismay by the Law Society of England and Wales.
New housing minister is finally named as Alok Sharma (PIE)
The new housing minister has now been named (Alok Sharma), five days after the result of the General Election. He will not have a place in Cabinet, he is MP […]
“SDLT reforms shattered the property market” (TC)
New research has indicated that the housing market has “shattered” since the stamp duty surcharge was introduced last year.
SDT strikes off dishonest solicitor for second time after deceiving lenders about who was doing their work (LF)
A solicitor has been struck off for the second time and ordered to pay costs of almost £66,000 after dishonestly misleading mortgage lenders in order to service clients of a […]
SRA reforms “open up cost-saving restructuring opportunity” for law firms (LF)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s decision to allow solicitors to practise from unregulated law firms opens up the prospects of insurers and others offering their customers legal advice and law firms […]
Advertising watchdog clears Law Society over “misleading” CQS claims (LF)
The Advertising Standards Authority has rejected a complaint by a solicitor that the Law Society misled consumers by claiming that all members of its Conveyancing Quality Scheme go through “rigorous […]
SRA presses ahead with seven-page code of conduct and solicitors practising in unregulated firms (LF)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to press ahead with allowing practising solicitors to deliver unreserved services to the public from unregulated organisations, as part of a radical shake-up of the […]
New definition of ‘client money’ dropped but SRA gives green light to third-party accounts (LF)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has dropped a new definition of ‘client money’ which would have excluded fees and disbursements in response to the concerns of practitioners, but is otherwise moving […]
SRA relaxes rules on client account and where solicitors can practise (LSG)
Solicitors will be allowed to practise from unauthorised businesses following a major shake-up of regulation announced today by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The five biggest IT threats to your firm’s GDPR compliance (LF)
Law firms hold a wealth of sensitive information, all of which will be subject to the General Data Protection Regulation, which will apply in the UK from 25 May 2018.
Stamp Duty changes are ‘shattering’ the property market, says agent (PIE)
Last year’s Stamp Duty changes have caused properties worth more than £500,000 to languish on the market while the majority of London vendors are struggling to sell across all values, […]