Final day of the SRA consultation
Today (21 September 2016) is the deadline for submission of responses to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) open consultation.
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.
Scam Alert Round Up – 5th September
Here are the latest scam alerts as issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Emails misusing the name of David Oram at Hill Dickonson LLP Members of the public have received emails falsely claiming to be from David Oram at Hill Dickinson LLP, regarding a purported unclaimed inheritance. The messages relate to a purported unclaimed inheritance. […]
Free event with SRA Director of Regulatory Policy on 6 Sept 2016
The SRA Director of Regulatory Policy, Chris Handford, is attending a free event in London to discuss proposed changes to the SRA Handbook and Accounts Rules with firms. The event will be an opportunity for firms to share their views, ask the SRA questions, and learn from other’s experiences. Katie Jackson, Director at Honne, will […]
Third of former Enterprise Insurance clients now on notice for lack of PI cover
A third of the former customers of a PI insurer declared insolvent by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission are still without insurance, 28 days after the Commission made it’s ruling. The Solicitors Regulation Authority says firms previously covered by the now defunct Enterprise Insurance now without cover are on notice with individual action plans to […]
Conveyancing Clerk banned and fined £7,500 over fake client emails
The SRA have banned a former conveyancing clerk from the profession for creating two emails supposedly from a client. According to the SRA, Mr Graham Borley could have caused loss to the client as they purported to give instructions to the firm. The SRA say his current practising details are unknown. Mr Borley was employed […]
Are you acting in your clients’ best interests?
We open up the next section of the SRA Risk Outlook 2016 – acting with independence and integrity.
Firms urged to start insurance renewals in good time
Those firms that are due to renew their professional indemnity insurance from 1 October are reminded that it is better to start the process sooner rather than later. Two thirds of solicitor practices have policies that run until 30 September. And the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is urging those that have not yet been in […]
What really matters for conveyancing clients?
The first in our SRA Risk Outlook series, looking at access to services and how clarity is the best policy.
SRA Risk Outlook 2016 and how this affects you
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have released their 2016/17 Risk Outlook, outlining the main areas of risk within the legal sector, what this means to you and actions that can be taken in order to manage these risks. Over a series of articles, we will be looking into how this affects conveyancing and comparing findings […]
SRA submit proposed practising fees proposal
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have submitted proposals for lowering mandatory practising fees to the Legal Services Board (LSB). The current fee for an individual is £320, however for the 2016/17 practising year the fee will be £290 with LSB approval. The SRA say practising fees are used to pay statutory levies to the LSB, Legal […]
Liquidators appointed for Gibraltar-based PII provider
Firms covered by the Gibraltar-based Enterprise Insurance Company Plc have until 22nd August to rearrange PII cover, after the firm was declared insolvent this week. A liquidator has now been appointed after the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ordered the company to stop writing any new business on Monday. The firm currently provides cover for 50 […]
Number of bogus law firms doubles in three years
Bogus law firms are sprouting up at an alarming rate with 700 a year springing up. According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority the number of reports they receive has more than doubled since 2012 with almost half of these involving criminals copying the identity of an existing law firm. Bogus law firms can directly target […]
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% […]
ABS firms often “more innovative” according to LSB report
Alternative Business Structure firms are more innovative than their more traditional colleagues according to a report on changes in the legal services market by he Legal Services Board. The report also states more consumers are handling legal matters alone rather than seeking advice with analysis putting this down to better technology enabling online probate applications. […]
SRA unveil fees level calculator
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have unveiled their fees calculator in an effort to help practitioners plan for next year. The proposed individual fee has fallen from £320 to £290 with the SRA’s net funding requirement going from £54.1 million to £53.5 million. Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive, said: “We know that planning ahead is a […]
House prices and transaction levels predicted to fall in response to Brexit
Accountancy firm KPMG have forecast a flat 2016 with a subsequent fall of 5% in 2017 for house prices outside London. Harpal Singh of Broker Conveyancing attempted to put a brave face on the situation. Singh said: “The main fear now is fear itself. If people believe the negative forecasts then we will realise their […]
SRA open up consultation on size and scope of handbook
The Solicitors Regulation Authority are proposing slashing their handbook to enable Solicitors to work across new fields and markets like will writing, advice on social welfare, employment or tax The consultation is set to run until September with the SRA saying they want to move away from “complex, prescriptive rules” to a focus on “principles and […]
SRA's centralised exam "nothing new" say educators
The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority’s (SRA’s) proposed new centralised qualifying exam for solicitors has been criticised as “nothing new” by teaching professionals. At a recent Westminster Legal Policy Forum conference, Rebecca Huxley-Binns of the Association of Law Teachers added that qualifying solicitors would still need workplace training, vocational training, and a law conversion course for those […]
SRA urges firms to take care with vulnerable clients
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have urged Solicitors to ensure close attention is paid to clients individual needs, particularly the most vulnerable members of society, and ensuring that they deliver a proper level of service. The SRA’s new Principles and Code of Conduct states that “Solicitors should provide a proper standard of service to clients”, […]