Technology and innovation “step-change” in last year but barriers persist – Legal Futures

‘The past year has seen a “step change” in the adoption of legal technology and innovation, in part as a result of Covid-19, a major piece of new research has found.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 27th July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Defensive Advising Strategies 2: Know Your Client – Wilberforce Chambers

‘With a history in the world of financial services regulation, “know your customer/client” or “KYC” is a cornerstone of professional practice. What does it mean for legal professionals? In this instalment of my series on defensive advising strategies, I consider three aspects of KYC which are particularly relevant to lawyers, with an emphasis on the interface between solicitors and other professionals and the barristers they instruct. This perspective is based on my own experience as a practitioner and raises issues which crop up relatively frequently.’

Full Story

Wilberforce Chambers, 22nd July 2021

Source: www.wilberforce.co.uk

Stronger rules on ongoing competence move step closer – Legal Futures

‘The current regulatory approach to lawyers’ ongoing competence needs to change, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has concluded, with assessments such as spot checks likely to be part of the reform.’

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Legal Futures, 20th July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

“Extraordinary things are happening” outside of traditional law firms – Legal Futures

‘Professor Richard Susskind’s claim that the current model of alternative legal services providers has not delivered and needs to be rethought is premature, the boss of Radiant Law has argued.’

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Legal Futures, 12th July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Legal lifeline for people in need – Ministry of Justice

‘People who have fallen on hard times during the pandemic will be helped by extra funding for free legal advice, the government has announced.’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st July 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Bar regulator under fire for prioritising interests of barristers – Law society’s Gazette

Posted July 2nd, 2021 in barristers, legal services, Legal Services Board, news by tracey

‘The Legal Services Board has published a withering review of the bar’s regulator, saying it places the interests of barristers ahead of the public and appears to be failing in its duty to improve access to justice.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 1st July 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lawyers should have to take competence tests “every 10 years” – Legal Futures

‘Lawyers should have to take online tests every 10 years to prove that they remain competent in their specialist fields, Sarah Chambers, chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP), said yesterday.’

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Legal Futures, 30th June 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Susskind: “Harder than expected” to reduce legal work to lawyer-free process – Legal Futures

Posted June 28th, 2021 in law firms, legal profession, legal services, news, solicitors by tracey

‘The extent to which legal work can be reduced purely to administration and process has been overstated and in fact “lawyers are needed for all legal jobs”, Professor Richard Susskind has acknowledged.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 28th June 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Plan for single register of all regulated and unregulated legal providers – Legal Futures

Posted June 8th, 2021 in competition, consumer protection, legal services, news by sally

‘A combined digital register of regulated and unregulated legal services providers would be “the simplest solution” to improve consumer navigation of the market, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 8th June 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Mayson hits out at report on impact of Legal Services Act – Legal Futures

Posted April 21st, 2021 in legal services, Legal Services Board, news, ombudsmen by tracey

‘Professor Stephen Mayson has hit back at a report by the Boston Consulting Group questioning the impact of the Legal Services Act 2007.’

Full Story

Legal futures, 21st April 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Freshfields report into bank rape allegations not covered by privilege – Law Society’s Gazette

‘A report prepared by magic circle firm Freshfields into the alleged rape of a bank employee was not covered by legal privilege, according to an employment tribunal ruling that has now been made public.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 21st April 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Legal Services Act has delivered “limited benefits to competition” – Legal Futures

Posted April 20th, 2021 in competition, legal services, news, reports by sally

‘The Legal Services Act 2007 has only delivered “a few of the benefits typically associated with deregulation”, a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has concluded.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 20th April 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Woman jailed for providing unqualified immigration advice – Legal Futures

‘A woman has been jailed for fraud and providing unqualified immigration advice and services, with her husband sentenced to community service.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 19th April 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Top QC: It’s bordering on Luddite to ignore direct access – Legal Futures

Posted March 11th, 2021 in barristers, legal services, news, Wales by sally

‘The former Consul General for Wales has struck out on his own as a sole practitioner and embraced direct access, saying it is “bordering on Luddite” for barristers to ignore it.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 11th March 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Climate change “could transform legal profession” – Legal Futures

‘Helping clients cope with the repercussions of climate change could transform the legal profession, a Law Society report has predicted, as lawyers focus on “proactive risk management advice”, knowledge of numerous legal frameworks and “out-of-the-box thinking”.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 25th February 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Time to consider regulating lawtech firms, report says – Legal Futures

‘The time has come for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to consider whether lawtech companies, along with other unregulated legal services providers, should be regulated, the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) has said.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 16th February 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

“Troubling inequality” persists for BAME consumers of legal services – Legal Futures

Posted January 20th, 2021 in consumer protection, equality, legal services, news, statistics by sally

‘A “troubling inequality” between BAME and White British consumers in the way they access legal services has changed little in the five years since it raised the issue, the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) has found.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 19th January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Breaching Legal Advice Privilege – Family Law Week

‘Henry Clayton, barrister of 4PB, considers the circumstances in which documents which purport to be privileged are, in fact, admissible.’

Full Story

Family Law Week, 14th January 2021

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Judge fines trio who provided unregulated legal advice – Legal Futures

Posted January 7th, 2021 in company directors, compensation, fines, immigration, legal advice, legal services, news by tracey

‘Directors from two legal businesses which generated £2.5m in fees by providing unregulated immigration advice have been fined nearly £17,000 and ordered to pay over £28,000 in compensation.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 7th January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

3,000 law firms “could be forced to close or merge” – Legal Futures

Posted December 8th, 2020 in conveyancing, coronavirus, insurance, law firms, legal services, loans, mergers, news by sally

‘As many as 3,000 law firms could be forced to close or merge over the next few years after the conveyancing bubble bursts and the recession really kicks in, a leading law firm consultant has warned.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 8th December 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk