All articles by Rachel Rothwell – Page 28
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More general counsel facing regulatory investigations
UK general counsel have reported a huge increase in the number of regulatory investigations initiated against them, according to research by the London office of US firm Fulbright & Jaworski. The firm’s Litigation Trends survey of 128 UK in-house lawyers across a range of sectors found ...
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High Court defamation claims soar
The number of High Court defamation claims has risen to the highest level since the Woolf reforms, figures have shown. Defamation claims in the High Court rose to 298 last year, up 15% from 259 in 2008, according to an analysis of judicial statistics carried out ...
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House price fall could prove fillip for conveyancers
Conveyancing solicitors moved to calm concerns over a looming housing crash this week, and suggested that a fall in house prices could have a ‘silver lining’ for the profession. Last week, the Halifax reported a 3.6% decline in house prices in September, the biggest monthly fall ...
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Lord Young declines meeting with profession’s regulator
Lord Young of Graffham turned down an offer to meet with the solicitors’ regulator in advance of his report on health and safety and the ‘compensation culture’, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said. ...
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Chancery Lane calls for appraisal system for family judges
An appraisal system should be introduced for family judges, so that they can hear feedback on their performance and to reassure the public about the quality of the judiciary, the Law Society has suggested. In its response to the government’s family justice review, Chancery Lane said ...
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Intestacy rules in need of updating
Nearly two-thirds of the public do not have a will, and a change in family relationships points to a need to amend the current intestacy rules, research has suggested. A report by the National Centre for Social Research, conducted to provide the Law Commission with up-to-date ...
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Small conveyancers still have weaponry against big brands
The Gazette reported recently on some figures released by Contact Law showing the level of anxiety among the profession over the ‘threat’ of alternative business structures.
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Djanogly sticks to October 2011 timetable for ABSs
‘All lawyers’ should be preparing for the introduction of alternative business structures in October 2011, justice minister Jonathan Djanogly said last week, as the coalition government gave the first public confirmation that it will press ahead with the reforms and will stick to the timetable already in place. ...
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‘Allegations’ against solicitors in decline
The number of ‘allegations’ made against solicitors which have led to risk assessments by the profession’s regulator has fallen, with a sharp drop in the number relating to mortgages and property, figures have shown. A paper submitted to the Law Society’s management board last week suggested ...
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Five solicitors shortlisted for Gazette Legal Personality of the Year Award
Five solicitors have been shortlisted for the Gazette’s Legal Personality of the Year Award, with the winner to be announced at the Law Society’s Excellence Awards ceremony in October.
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Oxford report recommends tariffs for lawyers’ fees
Governments should introduce tariffs for lawyers’ fees if they want to deliver wider access to justice, according to an Oxford University study of litigation funding systems across Europe published today. The research into the funding and costs of litigation in 35 countries, published by the Foundation ...
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Even judges are powerless in the face of family cuts
Like his predecessor Sir Mark Potter, Lord Justice Wall is not afraid to tell it like it is when it comes to problems in the family justice system.
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Small firms optimistic about year ahead, research reveals
Small law firms have faced ‘unprecedented pressure’ but are largely optimistic about their prospects in the year ahead, exclusive research conducted by Wesleyan for Lawyers in association with the Gazette has revealed. A survey of 129 firms, mainly small practices with fewer than 10 partners, showed ...
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Immigration cap poses ‘threat’ to UK legal sector
The Law Society has made a submission to the Home Office warning that its proposed limits on non-EU highly skilled migration could damage the legal sector. The submission follows concerns voiced by Liberal Democrat business secretary Vince Cable that immigration limits are damaging British industry. ...
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Conveyancers ‘vulnerable’ to ‘Tesco Law’
There is a high level of anxiety among solicitors over the legal services reforms, with conveyancers showing the greatest concern, according to research released to the Gazette this week. A survey of more than 300 solicitors by law firm network Contact Law found that attitudes towards ...
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Publishing diversity data ‘powerful incentive’ for firms
Legal Services Board plans to compel law firms to publish data about the diversity of their staff will act as a ‘powerful incentive’ for firms to increase social mobility in the profession, LSB chief executive Chris Kenny has said in a letter to legal regulators. Kenny ...
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Panel calls for evidence over will-writing regulation
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has made a call for evidence from solicitors and others in an investigation launched today into whether will-writing should become a regulated activity. The Legal Services Board has asked the panel to provide evidence of what problems consumers encounter in making ...
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Solicitors anxious over ABS ‘threat’
There is a high level of anxiety among solicitors over the impact of legal services reforms, with conveyancers showing the greatest alarm, according to research seen exclusively by the Gazette. A survey of more than 300 solicitors by law firm network Contact Law found ...
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Why law firms are seizing on the Akzo privilege judgment
When the European Court of Justice’s ruling in the Akzo case came out on Tuesday, comments from law firms condemning the decision began rolling into the newsdesk within minutes.
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Innovation ‘anathema to solicitors’, report suggests
Innovation appears to be ‘anathema’ to solicitors, who place too much reliance on the value of their reputation and are overly wedded to ‘old school’ marketing techniques, according to a report published today. The ‘white paper’ compiled by business advisory group Selling for Solicitors also found ...