Legal aid lawyers facing fight to survive after tendering shake-up – The Guardian

Posted July 14th, 2010 in legal aid, legal profession, legal services, news, tenders by sally

“This week is crunch time for legal aid lawyers. The results of a big Legal Service Commission (LSC) tendering exercise means that firms could face closure and lawyers end up on the dole.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fury as ‘superb’ training scheme for legal aid lawyers faces axe – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2010 in legal aid, legal education, legal profession, news by sally

“Government plans to scrap a scheme for supporting the training of future legal aid lawyers has provoked a furious response, as critics say the move will hit the prospects of the poorest in society joining the profession.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Top law officers to be stripped of policy making roles, says Dominic Grieve – The Guardian

Posted July 8th, 2010 in attorney general, government departments, legal profession, news by sally

“The attorney general has delivered a stinging attack on the former government, saying it ‘lured’ law officers into a policy-making role.”

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The Guardian, 7th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Private law firms letting down the side on diversity – The Guardian

Posted July 8th, 2010 in equality, law firms, legal profession, news by sally

“The UK’s legal profession continues to drag its feet in ensuring the same opportunities for all regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judicial culture still deters gay and lesbian lawyers, say researchers – The Guardian

“The judiciary is failing to reflect the UK’s gay and lesbian community, experts say, as research suggests it is seriously under-represented on the bench.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Web-savvy lawyers stand to gain online – The Guardian

Posted June 29th, 2010 in advertising, internet, legal profession, legal services, news by sally

“Many solicitors have websites, but few are really capitalising on the web’s reach to attract, and keep, clients.”

Full story

The Guardian, 29th June 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bar Council Chairman – “We’re on the precipice of change” – The Bar Council

“Nicholas Green QC, the Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents over 15,000 barristers in England and Wales, has told barristers that the profession is ‘on the precipice of change’ in his address to the Bar Council’s Annual Remuneration Conference.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 22nd June 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Bar Council shares experience on easing financial barriers to the professions – The Bar Council

Posted June 18th, 2010 in barristers, legal education, legal profession, press releases by sally

“David Pittaway QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Training for the Bar Committee and the Neuberger Monitoring and Implementation Group, addressed the Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum, chaired by RIBA President Ruth Reed, on the subject of the Bar Loans Scheme, yesterday.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 17th June 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

BSB chair: ‘merge solicitors’ and barristers’ training courses’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 17th, 2010 in barristers, legal education, legal profession, news, solicitors by sally

“The chair of the bar’s regulator has called for a radical overhaul of legal professional education by merging the solicitors’ and barristers’ courses, to give young people longer to decide which branch of the profession they want to join.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 17th June 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Insurers’ new code may add insult to personal injury lawyers – The Guardian

“Personal injury lawyers and insurers are not the greatest of friends. Lawyers often see insurers as obstructive and just trying to weasel out of paying. Insurers see lawyers as equally obstructive and just trying to squeeze as much money as they can for themselves out of the compensation process.”

Full story

The Guardian, 15th June 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Deregulating the law profession – The Guardian

Posted June 10th, 2010 in barristers, legal profession, news, solicitors by sally

“A conference on the future of the bar in England and Wales needs to ensure that those working in law can keep their independence.”

Full story

The Guardian, 10th June 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Michael Mansfield QC awarded outstanding achievement prize – The Guardian

Posted June 7th, 2010 in barristers, DNA, legal aid, legal profession, news by sally

“The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards honour Michael Mansfield QC and other lawyers who show a commitment to publicly-funded work.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th June 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Podcast: Chris Kenny, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board – Charon QC

Posted June 3rd, 2010 in legal profession, legal services, Legal Services Board, podcasts by sally

“Today (2 June) I talk to Chris Kenny, CEO of the Legal Services Board. Chris Kenny discusses the role and the function of the Legal Services Board and whether there is a need for it. He talks about the opportunities and threats to lawyers and legal services over the next five years. He looks at the impact on the Rule of Law given the proposed cuts to civil and criminal legal aid. He discusses the globalisation of legal services and international regulatory standards. Lastly, a bit of futurology, Chris discusses the likely legal landscape in the next five years.”

Podcast

Charon QC, 2nd June 2010

Source: www.charonqc.wordpress.com

“Charon QC” is the blogging pseudonym of Mike Semple Piggot, editor of insitelaw newswire.

Lawyers prepare to hear LeO roar – The Guardian

Posted June 1st, 2010 in complaints, legal profession, Legal Services Board, news, ombudsmen by sally

“Have you ever complained about the service you received from a lawyer? It’s not always the easiest thing in the world: lawyers do not really see themselves as a service industry, and so tend to treat complaints as a personal affront rather than as a chance to ensure their clients have had a good experience.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st June 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Law Society president warns of looming threat to profession’s independence – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 27th, 2010 in Law Society, legal profession, legal services, news, speeches by sally

“The Legal Services Board’s proximity to government could threaten the independence of the legal profession, Law Society president Robert Heslett warned last night.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 26th May 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Chancery Lane welcomes coalition government proposals – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 20th, 2010 in bills, legal aid, legal profession, news, privacy by sally

“The Law Society welcomed the new coalition government’s pledge to seek a better balance between state surveillance and privacy this week, while legal aid lawyers said they hoped Kenneth Clarke’s appointment as justice secretary will spell good news for access to justice.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 20th May 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Podcast Inside Track: Nicholas Green QC – Chairman of the Bar on the future of the legal profession – Charon QC

Posted May 17th, 2010 in barristers, legal profession, legal services, podcasts by sally

“Nicholas Green QC outlines his vision for the future of the Bar, his optimism that it will continue to develop and grow and his belief in the need for it to become more commercial, while holding on to the highest professional standards. He discusses the impact of the Legal Services Act, including the ability of barristers to go into partnership with solicitors, the issue of direct access to the Bar plus the increasing flexibility of career routes into the profession.”

Podcast

Charon QC, 17th May 2010

Source: www.charonqc.wordpress.com

“Charon QC” is the blogging pseudonym of Mike Semple Piggot, editor of insitelaw newswire.

Barristers could have right to sue solicitors for unpaid fees – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 6th, 2010 in barristers, contracts, fees, Law Society, legal profession, news, solicitors by sally

“Barristers would be able to sue solicitors for unpaid fees under proposals published by the Bar Council last week to put the relationship between the two professions on a more commercial footing.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 6th May 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

General counsel ‘bypass law firms’ and go directly to the bar – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 29th, 2010 in barristers, law firms, legal profession, news, reports, solicitors by sally

“General counsel are increasingly bypassing law firms to go directly to the bar for legal advice, according to a report published today.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 29th April 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

BSB launches survey on the future of the profession – Bar Standards Board

Posted April 20th, 2010 in barristers, consultations, legal profession, legal services, news by sally

“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) today (16 April) launched a survey of the profession on opinions and expectations in relation to the new business structures permitted under the Legal Services Act 2007. The BSB has teamed up with leading market research group YouGov to create and administer the survey, which all barristers, clerks and practice managers will be invited to complete.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 16th April 2010

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk