SRA Handbook proposals come under scrutiny
The SRA have stated that significant changes will be made to their Handbook with an aim to improve professional standards and remove unnecessary bureaucracy.
Prime Minister puts trust in David Lidington as new lord chancellor
Prime Minister Theresa May appointed a new justice secretary and lord chancellor in yesterday’s (11/06/17) cabinet reshuffle.
Conveyancing fraud: No room for complacency
Fraudulent activity within the conveyancing sector has recently been highlighted in a radio programme by the BBC.
Law Society warn over malicious email sent to CQS accredited firms
The Law Society have recently issued a warning about malicious emails being sent to law firms accredited with the CQS.
Proposals for transparency could mislead clients
According to the Law Society, providing clients with raw regulatory data on legal firms could undermine their ability to exercise informed choice as well as causing them to be misled.
Modernising the Law Society
Continuing to pursue an agenda of modernisation, a review of the Law Society’s governance is under way.
Emerging Risks for Law Firms in 2017 Seminar
Legal Eye would like to invite Solicitors and Conveyancers to attend our free seminar which is being held at the iconic Library of Birmingham on 1st March, 2017. Our speakers include representatives from the SRA and the Law Society, will bring you up to date on the risks law firms are currently facing, and practical low cost […]
Law Society Chief Executive resigns
Citing the Law Society’s failure to embrace governance reform, Chief Executive Catherine Dixon has resigned after two years in the role.
Law Society’s reaction to SDLT reform
Whilst generally welcoming the reduced payment windows for stamp duty land tax (SDLT), the Law Society and City of London Law Society have warned that unless certain exemptions are permitted, errors may creep in. The change, proposed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), suggests a reduction from 30 to 14 days for the SDLT filing […]
LSB calls for shake-up of legal services in England & Wales
The Legal Services Board (LSB) have called for the abolishment of all regulatory bodies, including themselves, and for a sole independent regulator to oversee the legal profession.
Solicitors’ firms should be treated equally to ABS firms says Law Society
Regular firms should be on an equal footing with Alternative Business Structure firms according to the Law Society. It comes as part of a response to a consultation on reducing barriers to entry for ABSs into the legal sector Law Society chief executive Catherine Dixon said: “The Law Society is supportive of ABS, they provide […]
Law Society unveil Annual Excellence Awards shortlist
The shortlist for the Law Society’s 10th annual Excellence Awards have been announced with 89 nominations for firms and 49 nominations for individuals across 17 categories. The society say the awards are a recognition of the commitment, enthusiasm and passion that solicitors dedicate to serving their clients, and – in the process – underpinning England […]
New Housing and Justice Secretaries in Theresa May’s Cabinet
Gavin Barwell has been made housing minister, replacing Brandon Lewis. Barwell is now minister of state for housing and planning. As well as housing, the MP for Croydon Central is now also minister for London at the Department for Communities and Local Government, under new DCLG minister Sajid Javid. Brandon Lewis is now minister of […]
CMA cites lack of pricing transparency in interim Legal services market study
The Competition and Markets Authority says that a lack of upfront pricing information is stopping consumers from comparing legal services. Publishing their interim report as part of a study looking at the supply of legal services, the CMA say just 17% of legal services providers publish prices online with just 22% of individual consumers 22% […]
SearchFlow geared up to CON29 changes and business as usual
The Law Society’s revisions to the CON29 forms have now been in place since Monday 4th July and have been rolled out successfully to conveyancers, reports SearchFlow, property intelligence specialists. The changes to CON29 forms have been implemented to improve the quality and consistency of information. In addition, some new mandatory questions to the forms relating […]
Industry reacts to vote to leave the EU
The value of the pound as well as shares in the UK’s major house builders are in freefall after the UK voted to leave the European Union. While Prime Minister David Cameron has stated Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, which starts the two year countdown on leaving, won’t be triggered until at least October, […]
Cost of Solicitors Practicing Certificate to come down by £30
The cost of the practising certificate looks set to come down after the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority published a joint consultation on bringing the price down to £290 per year per solicitor for 2016-17. The reduction of 9% amounts to around £30. the Law Society say this will mean the cost has […]
Law Society sued by training provider over anti-competitive CQS rule
Socrates Training Limited are seeking damages from the Law Society over claims Chancery Lane abused its position in specifying its own anti-money laundering training for the Conveyancing Quality Scheme must come from the Law Society itself. According to the Claim, the Defendant and the Claimant both offer online anti-money laundering (“AML”) training for law firms […]
Law Society latest organisation to express doubt on Land Registry privatisation
The Law Society has become the latest in a long line of organisations to announce their opposition to George Osborne’s second attempt at privatising Land Registry. Previously, the Conveyancing Association, the Competition and Markets Authority and News Media Organisation have all stated their opposition to the move, as well as the Open Data Institute and […]
Hundreds turn out for Law Society’s 10km LegalWalk
Legal professionals from all branches of the industry turned out this week for a sponsored walk through London. Fundraisers gathered outside the Law Society’s Chancery Lane building before strolling through the city and returning for food, drinks and entertainment. The 10km walk was in aid of the London Legal Support Trust who assist law centres […]
