Ombudsman will name lawyers and firms ‘in public interest’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 7th, 2011 in complaints, disclosure, legal ombudsman, legal services, news, public interest by sally

“The Legal Ombudsman has taken the highly controversial decision to name lawyers and law firms in circumstances where there is a ‘pattern of complaints’ against them or when it is in the ‘public interest’ to do so.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 7th November 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Bar Chairman Promotes Value of an Independent Judiciary – The Bar Council

Posted November 2nd, 2011 in judiciary, legal services, press releases, professional conduct by tracey

“The Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has told Bar leaders from around the world that an independent judiciary is the most important element in attracting clients to any jurisdiction.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 2nd November 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

The end is nigh for the unpopular legal aid body, so why aren’t we celebrating? – The Guardian

Posted October 17th, 2011 in legal aid, legal services, news by sally

“The move to subsume the Legal Services Commission into the justice ministry shows you should be careful what you wish for.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

So far so good: the Legal Ombudsman celebrates a smooth first year – The Guardian

Posted October 10th, 2011 in complaints, legal ombudsman, legal services, news by sally

“Independent body fielding complaints against lawyers has come in under budget, and with a positive reaction from the profession.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th October 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New dawn in legal sector will give boost to UK business and customers – Ministry of Justice

“The public are set to benefit from modern, joined-up legal services after Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly announced the start of radical changes to the sector today (6 October).”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 6th October 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

LSC Bar Bulletin – The Bar Council

Posted October 6th, 2011 in barristers, fees, legal services, news by sally

“On 3 August, the Bar Council posted a news item on its website updating the profession on the payment of advocates’ criminal graduated fees by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). That news item detailed efforts being made by the LSC to help resolve payment problems.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 6th October 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Supermarket ‘law shops’ to open – BBC News

Posted October 6th, 2011 in alternative business structures, legal services, news by sally

“Banks and supermarkets are to be able to sell consumer legal services in England and Wales for the first time following a change in law.”

Full story

BBC News, 6th October 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Baroness Shackleton: legal watchdog warns lawyer fees market needs ‘urgent reform’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 3rd, 2011 in consumer protection, fees, legal profession, legal services, news by sally

“Exclusive: Lawyers are under pressure to adopt more ‘consumer friendly’ fee structures amid thousands of complaints from clients about inflated billing charges, the legal watchdog has warned. ”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st October 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Why the world sees London as the leading light in legal services – The Guardian

Posted September 23rd, 2011 in law firms, legal services, news by tracey

“Kenneth Clarke is right, the City is as much a legal centre as a financial one – but there are still jurisdictions to conquer.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd September 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2011 and Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment) Order 2011 – The Bar Council

Posted September 20th, 2011 in legal aid, legal services, legislation, press releases by tracey

“The Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2011 and the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment) Order 2011 were laid on 24 August 2011.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 19th September 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Call for Evidence to assist investigation into will-writing, estate administration and probate activities – Legal Services Board

Posted September 5th, 2011 in consumer protection, legal services, news by sally

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today issued a call for evidence concerning how best to protect consumers of will-writing, probate and estate administration markets. The Board welcomes evidence from members of the public, legal businesses, other businesses active in these markets and all other interested parties. The deadline for evidence is 5pm, Friday 4 November 2011.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 5th September 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Shop around for legal advice – The Guardian

Posted August 31st, 2011 in alternative business structures, law firms, legal services, news by sally

“While some solicitors regard the legal retail outlets springing up in shopping centres as tacky they can only be good for the public.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st August 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Where there’s a will, the web can be the way – The Guardian

Posted August 19th, 2011 in alternative business structures, internet, legal services, news, wills by sally

“Developments in the online legal services market provide lucrative opportunities for lawyers willing to break down barriers.”

Full story

The Guardian, 19th August 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

LSB to make a recommendation for Order under S.80 of Legal Services Act – Legal Services Board

“The LSB has today (17 August) published its decision document and the Order that it will recommend to the Lord Chancellor should be made under section 80 of the Legal Services Act 2007 about the appeal mechanism for decisions of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) if it is designated as a Licensing Authority. This follows the consultation Alternative business structures: appeal arrangements which ran from 5 May 2011 to 2 June 2011 and our decision to recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the SRA should be designated as a Licensing Authority.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 17th August 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Alternative Business Structures (ABS) research report published – Legal Services Board

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today published its latest thinking on the impact of Alternative Business Structures (ABS) on the legal services market. The document, informed by engagement with regulators, existing providers and potential new entrants, brings together evidence and current thinking on how the market may develop following the emergence of the first ABS from 6 October 2011.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 12th August 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Update on payment of Advocates’ Criminal Graduated Fee Claims – The Bar Council

Posted August 4th, 2011 in barristers, evidence, fees, legal aid, legal services, news by sally

“The Bar Council has continued to receive complaints from barristers regarding delays and other problems since the Legal Services Commission took over the processing and payment of Crown Court legal aid fees. On 8 June 2011, the Bar Council posted a news item on its website detailing the reasons for the delays.1 Since then, the Bar Council has made further representations to ensure that these matters are resolved.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 3rd August 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Is anyone listening? – the new legal complaints process is unclear – Legal Week

Posted August 4th, 2011 in complaints, law firms, legal services, news by sally

“The legal complaints process, in as far as it applies to large corporate clients, has always been a thorny issue, as top City law firms have long asserted that their clients are intelligent buyers of legal services with little need for pointers when it comes complaining.”

Full story

Legal Week, 4th August 2011

Source: www.legalweek.com

Bar Council Chairmen’s Update to Members of the Profession – July 2011 – The Bar Council

“Bar Council Chairmen’s Update to Members of the Profession – July 2011. Letter by Mr Peter Lodder QC and Mr Michael Todd QC.”

Full letter

The Bar Council, 25th July 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Professional Practice Committee issues public access guidance – The Bar Council

Posted July 22nd, 2011 in barristers, legal aid, legal services, news by sally

“The Bar Standards Board has issued a reminder to all public access barristers that under paragraph 3(1) in Annex F2 of the Public Access Rules

‘A barrister may not accept direct instructions from or on behalf of a lay client: In or in connection with any matter or proceedings in which it is likely that the lay client would be eligible for public funding.'”

Full story

The Bar Council, 21st July 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

The Lord Mayor’s dinner for HM Judges – Speech by The Lord Judge

Posted July 19th, 2011 in civil justice, judiciary, legal services, speeches by tracey

“The Lord Mayor’s dinner for HM Judges, Speech by The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, 15/07/2011.”

Full speech

Judiciary of England and wales, 15th July 2011

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk