Regulation and compliance – Page 131
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NewsConsumer panel calls for single regulator
The Legal Services Consumer Panel says the regulatory regime is a maze for clients and a burden for lawyers.
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NewsCity lawyers warn against lobbying register
The City of London Law Society has told ministers they risk creating more red tape if they impose regulation on the lobbying sector.
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NewsLawyers can ‘exert undue influence’ on elderly
Lawyers sometimes ‘exert undue influence’ on elderly clients to force them to make decisions, the Legal Ombudsman warns.
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News‘Dispersed’ pioneer Keystone to become an ABS
Commercial firm Keystone Law, which pioneered the ‘virtual’ model of organisation, is to become an alternative business structure in October.
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NewsPII insurers cut back cover for 2013 renewal
Two major professional indemnity insurers are making significant cuts to their books
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Compliance failures spark SRA sanctions
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued its first two sanctions from the mass failure to properly nominate compliance officers.
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NewsHigh Court refers firm to SRA after contempt ruling
The High Court has referred an east London firm to the Solicitors Regulation Authority after finding its senior partner in contempt of court.
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Accountancy giants consider ABS moves
Two of the UK’s major accountancy firms are considering applications to become providers of regulated legal services.
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NewsLSB approves new rules for conveyancing referral fees
The Legal Services Board has granted an application by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers to alter the rules on referral arrangements in conveyancing work.
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Advocacy quality scheme gets final go-ahead
The Legal Services Board today gave the final go-ahead to the controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates, citing poor standards of advocacy to justify its introduction.
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Ombudsman proposes one-stop shop for all complaints
The Legal Ombudsman today proposes creating a common portal for all complaints about professional services
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Regulator defiant over licensing One Legal
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has defended its decision to grant an alternative business structure licence to a company owned by Trevor Howarth, the legal director of Stobart Barristers, who faces a possible trial for contempt of court. The SRA last week licensed One Legal, a company set up in September ...
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Healthcheck detects public unease at bar regulator 'bias'
Complainants to the Bar Standards Board have accused the regulator of bias in favour of barristers as dissatisfaction grows about transparency and openness. The BSB’s yearly healthcheck survey found increasing public unease about its complaints process, despite the number of complaints falling in the past year. At the board’s monthly ...
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SRA approves £50-£350 charge scale for advocacy accreditation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has approved the fees that solicitors will be required to pay for accreditation under the controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA). Fees are set for the four accreditation levels and solicitors will have to make payment on registration, on progression and when seeking reaccreditation. To ...
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Ombudsman tries to extend reach as job cuts loom
The Legal Ombudsman will next week set out plans for a voluntary scheme to cover unregulated parts of the legal sector. A discussion paper will be released just days after proposals to cut 10% of its staff were confirmed. The ombudsman told workers this week that 25 roles are being ...
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Next year's PC fees agreed today – full details
Individual solicitors will be shielded from significant fee increases next year but most firms will pay more. The Law Society today agreed that its net funding requirement for 2014 will be £116.8m, an increase from £103.5m the previous year. The funds cover the Society, Solicitors Regulation Authority and external bodies ...
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Solicitors Regulation Authority shuts two firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has closed immigration firm Mulberry Finch Limited and Gloucestershire practice Peter Stafford Eales. The SRA said that Mulberry Finch, based in Conduit Street, London, failed to comply with the SRA Principles, the Code of Conduct and Accounts Rules. Peter Stafford Eales, of Turnpike Gate, Gloucestershire, was ...
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SRA’s 2013 diversity data collection system goes live
Firms can now report their workforce diversity data, including sexual orientation, ethnicity, age and gender, through a new online facility on mySRA, the Solicitors Regulation Authority announced today. Collection of this data is a Legal Services Board requirement to promote transparency and diversity in the legal services market, the SRA ...
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SRA set to agree major increase in fining powers
Proposals for significant increases in the fining powers of the Solicitors Regulation Authority are set to be agreed this week. The SRA regulatory risk committee will meet tomorrow to recommend new fining guidelines of between £500 and £50,000 for most firms and individuals. For firms with domestic turnover of more ...
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Direct Line applies to set up law firm through ABS
Britain’s biggest car insurer, Direct Line Group, has applied to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to become an alternative business structure. The insurer wants to create a newly formed and wholly owned law firm, DLG Legal Services, to operate in partnership with existing law firm Parabis. Direct Line Group already provides ...