Latest news – Page 667
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News
Damages uplift ‘will cost defendants £300m’
Insurers told the High Court today that defendants stand to lose more than £300m if claimants are given the ‘windfall’ of a risk-free rise in damages.
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Separating couples ignorant of dispute resolution options
Nearly half of British adults think they have to go to court to get divorced, according to a survey that shows a lack of awareness of non-court options for family law matters. A poll of 2,018 adults by family lawyers’ group Resolution today reveals that 45% ...
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Supplementary Legal Aid Scheme is abandoned
The government has abandoned a scheme to take up to 25% of damages awards from clinical negligence victims. The Supplementary Legal Aid scheme was intended to fund cases that would still come under the scope of legal aid from next April. Campaigners argued it amounted to ...
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Banking reforms would ‘damage English legal system’
The Law Society has warned of dire consequences for the English legal system if the government presses ahead with ‘protectionist’ measures contained in its banking reform plans. In a 54-page response to the Treasury’s June white paper on banking reform, Chancery Lane focuses on ...
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Ten thousand register for criminal advocacy
Over 10,000 solicitors have notified the Solicitors Regulation Authority that they will be seeking criminal advocacy accreditation next year when the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) begins. The controversial scheme is scheduled to start on 14 January when all solicitor-advocates wishing to practise criminal advocacy ...
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LSB calls for ‘open debate’ on cost of regulation
The legal profession’s umbrella watchdog today calls for an ‘open debate’ on the cost of regulation which would encompass all the levies lawyers must pay in order to practise. In its response to the government’s first triennial review of its activities, the Legal Services Board ...
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Solicitors warned off SDLT avoidance schemes after landmark judgment
Schemes designed to dodge stamp duty land tax (SDLT), which cost the public purse £170m a year, will face tough scrutiny from HM Revenue & Customs after a landmark tribunal judgment this week. Regulations have also been laid that will force users of avoidance schemes to disclose them to the ...
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Chief coroner sets out new regime in first speech
Only lawyers will be appointed as coroners from next June, the first holder of the new post of chief coroner for England and Wales has announced in his first public speech. Judge Peter Thornton QC told the annual conference of coroners today that new appointments ...
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PI specialist is thirtieth alternative business structure
The former president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has steered his firm to alternative business structure status. David Bott, who stood down as president in April, will bring practice manager Paul Hinchcliffe and finance manager Gary Froggatt, both non-solicitors, into equity partner status at ...
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What's the point of a degree?
I am amazed that there has been so little written on the de facto requirement for a solicitor to have a university degree. Not that I have anything against a degree or a university education – it should be encouraged. The problem now is that studying for a degree is ...
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LSC: payment delays a thing of the past
I was surprised and disappointed to see the Gazette give so much credence to Gareth Roberts’ completely unsubstantiated claims about late payment of bills by the Legal Services Commission. As our press office made clear before the article was published, payment delays are a thing of the past. ...
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Crisis talks
Lawyers are the trickiest clients that reputation management specialists have. Used to advising others, trained to be disputatious and challenging, and invariably the possessors of secure egos, they are often the least receptive to wise counsel. Admitting fault or even acknowledging distress caused by inadequate service ...
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Intolerant attitudes
The view expressed by Simon Williams in his letter has worrying consequences. He effectively said that Lillian Ladele should have lost her job. Does he want a civil service in which no one is allowed to have any religious convictions? Because such a situation is not far off. What kind ...
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Intolerant attitudes
The view expressed by Simon Williams in his letter has worrying consequences. He effectively said that Lillian Ladele should have lost her job. Does he want a civil service in which no one is allowed to have any religious convictions? Because such a situation is not far off. What kind ...
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News
Uncompromising truth
The entire content of Nicholas Lakeland’s article rang true for me as an employment solicitor who advises on up to 8-10 compromise agreements a week. They are increasingly common and I repeatedly find myself having to explain to clients that I have a duty to ...
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Mortgage fraud solicitor jailed
A former criminal defence solicitor has been jailed for two years for her part in a £1.3m mortgage fraud in east London. Elena Quinlivan (pictured), 35, planned to build a rented property empire, using forged identity documents, bank statements and payslips, Southwark Crown Court heard. ...
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Don't get mad, get advice
Provocative posters are being deployed by the Law Society in an advertising campaign urging people to ‘Ask A Solicitor’ when dealing with a crisis. Examples of such incidents include: relationship breakdown (illustrated with a car vandalised by a disgruntled partner); disputed inheritance (an antique sideboard ...
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LegalZoom in QualitySolicitors tie-up
US online legal services shop LegalZoom is to come to Britain later this year in partnership with UK network QualitySolicitors, the Gazette has learned. LegalZoom claims to be the most recognised legal brand in the US and the leading provider of online legal documentation services ...
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SRA courts troubled firms
Law firms facing financial problems have been urged to contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority for support and advice. SRA supervisors are already getting in touch with practices that may need help, as part of the regulator’s new approach under outcomes-focused regulation. ...
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Surge in mis-selling claims
Small businesses are rushing to file mis-selling claims against their banks before April, when the Jackson reforms make conditional fee agreements a less viable option. Campaigning organisation Bully Banks, which has been co-ordinating information and campaigns on allegedly mis-sold interest rate hedging products, has urged ...