The controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) is set to go ahead after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal against the scheme this morning (24 June) though the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said it will need to consider the timing of its introduction given the delays caused by the legal challenge.
Continue reading “BSB considers QASA’s timing after Supreme Court dismisses long-running appeal”
It’s been the debate the profession has avoided over the last decade, but one that finally appears to be stirring. Scrutiny of the regulation, guidance and professional support for in-house counsel will be addressed by the UK’s primary legal watchdog, it has been confirmed.
The Law Society is challenging the government’s decision to increase certain court fees by over 600% and has issued a pre-action protocol letter for judicial review saying the move would be tantamount to ‘selling justice’.
Fieldfisher partner Michael Harte has been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) which alleges he broke multiple aspects of the SRA Principles 2011.
Continue reading “Referred to the SDT: Fieldfisher partner pursued by SRA after criminal conviction”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed 12 law firms have been forced to close for failing to secure professional indemnity insurance (PII) while the status of a further 37 has yet to be determined.
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today (27 November) published its decision on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) professional indemnity insurance (PII) application, and has refused a proposed reduction in the minimum level of PII cover from the current level of £2m to £500,000.
Steven Fennell, a former Halliwells partner, has won a High Court declaration that stops Halliwells’ liquidators’ claim of £125,000 against him for alleged overdrawings.
Continue reading “Retirement terms: Former partners win exemption from Halliwells liquidator”
An increasing number of solicitors are facing disciplinary matters with the Solicitors Regulation Authority opening 90 new disciplinary proceedings from January to August this year, compared to 58 during the same period last year.
In a decision that is sure to generate mixed reaction within the market, the Solicitors Regulation Authority approved measures yesterday [17 September] to progress its plans for regulatory reform, and voted to make it easier for multi-disciplinary practices (MDPs) to provide legal services under its regulation.
The insurance regime for law firms faces more upheaval amid reforms to rules on minimum cover. Legal Business assesses the latest controversy
In July, following a short consultation earlier this summer, the board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced a number of reforms, including proposals to reduce the minimum compulsory cover levels for professional indemnity insurance (PII) from £2m to £500,000 and the requirement that law firms assess the PII cover level appropriate for their work themselves.
