Other lawyers
LSB rejects “unprecedented” code of conduct for complainants
The Legal Services Board has rejected a code of conduct for complainants proposed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for the probate practices it regulates.
Exclusive: 20 firms and seven websites sign up to online reviews trial
Twenty law firms and seven comparison and review websites have signed up to a regulator-run pilot that will test how they can best work together to improve the information available to consumers.
CLC highlights compliance risks facing licensed conveyancers
Money laundering, buyer-funded developments, and acting for both sides are among the risks highlighted in the Council for Licensed Conveyancers’ first Compliance Risk Agenda.
LSB to press ahead with continuing competence regime
The Legal Services Board is pushing ahead with plans to introduce continuing competence checks for lawyers. This could include feedback from consumers, judges and peers, assurance visits or revalidation.
New practising fee rules will allow “more meaningful debate”
The Legal Services Board has introduced new rules to ensure legal regulators explain more clearly how they spend the money they raise through the compulsory levies on lawyers.
Regulators join forces to pilot comparison and review options for firms
Three regulators are joining forces to pilot ways for law firms to engage better with comparison websites and online review platforms, starting with conveyancing and employment work.
LeO “needs external help” to speed up complaints handling
The Legal Ombudsman’s proposed 19% budget increase is not justified, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has said in calling for an external task force to help it deal with complaints more quickly.
Judge fines trio who provided unregulated legal advice
Directors from two legal businesses which generated £2.5m in fees by providing unregulated immigration advice have been fined nearly £17,000 and ordered to pay over £28,000 in compensation.
SRA and CLC given clean bill of regulatory health
The Solicitors Regulation Authority and Council for Licensed Conveyancers have been given a clean bill of health by the Legal Services Board in its latest assessment of regulators’ performance.
Muted response to CMA report but some support for activity based regulation
There was a muted reaction to yesterday’s call from the Competition and Markets Authority for a review of legal regulation, with CILEx the most prominent supporter.