The Lawyers Defence Group - practical and expert advice on conduct, discipline, practice, partnership, employment and much more for all lawyers, from whatever branch of the law.
From advice on how to manage a practice to assistance in disciplinary, criminal or civil proceedings, the Lawyers Defence Group can provide effective and timely advice and representation from lawyers who are not only experts in their areas of practice but who also understand fully the problems which lawyers and legal staff face every day.
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Introduction to Equality Act 2010
An introduction to the Equality Act 2010 – an Act which simplifies the law and removes many of the inconsistencies between the application of the different forms of protection.
Making reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 requires that employers, the providers of goods, facilities and services and others make reasonable adjustments for those with a disability. This item looks at that duty and the steps which firms should take to comply with it.
Finding a new job
An increasing number of lawyers are finding themselves in the position of needing to find a new job. This article looks at some of the things you can and should be doing to find work.
An addict? Moi?
Most people are likely to have at least one addiction in their life. If it does not cause physical or psychological harm, and doesn’t affect daily personal and working life, then that is ok. However, if it does stray over the boundaries, the sooner that is recognised and dealt with the better
Depression ? the hidden hazard
The problem with a mental illness is that it cannot be seen from the outside. A leg in plaster or a bandaged head, can evoke concern, but depression can go completely unnoticed or responded to with an unhelpful attitude.
Technostress
We are familiar with the concepts of desk rage and road rage and now a new name has been added – that of ?Technostress? – what happens to us when we suffer from information overload.
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was established to adjudicate upon breaches of the rules of professional conduct by solicitors, registered foreign lawyers and those who are employees of solicitors and to hear applications for restoration to the roll.
Provision of information and documents by solicitors
The SRA has long had the power to require, operating in the place of the Law Society, to require a solicitor to produce documents in connection with an investigation. Additions to the Solicitors Act have extended those powers.
Complaint Handling
All firms need to adopt and implement an effective, robust and transparent complaint handling process and this section look at the imperatives behind that requirement and at how the process should be undertaken.
17 May 2013 – Government rejects call for will writing to become a served legal activity.
10 May 2013 – Solicitors who do not hold a practising certificate but who wish to remain on the roll are being reminded that the deadline for applications is Tuesday 18 June 2013.
07 May 2013 – SRA indicates it will take tough action against failing firms that do not take steps to wind down efficiently. Sanctions could include practising certificate conditions.
03 May 2013 SRA announces that its Chief Executive, Antony Townsend, will be stepping down later in the year.
10 April 2013 – Solicitors Regulation Authority launches version 7 of the SRA Handbook containing changes relating to referral fees, simplification of regulations and processes and changes to the regulation of financial services.
09 April 2013 – Responding to concerns from consumer that bad practice by some claims management companies is becoming the norm, the Regulator plans to introduce tough new Conduct Rules
12 December 2012 – The Legal Services Board has published its first assessments of the performance of regulators in the legal services sector emphasising the importance the LSB attaches to improving regulatory performance in the coming year.
10 December 2012 – Council for Licensed Conveyancers issues consultation requesting responses as to whether, based on the evidence available, a ban on referrals is justified.
10 December 2012 – SRA warns that a significant number of firms, largely in the small firm category (up to four partners), have failed either to complete or even start the process for appointing COLPs and COFAs, whilst a number had nominated individuals who would not, for various reasons, be approved.
The Lawyers Defence Group is operated by Richard Nelson LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and whose partnership number is OC357136 and Murdochs Solicitors, who are also regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and whose SRA number is 52683.
Please note that all advice, guidance, representation and assistance, legal or otherwise, is provided either by those firms or by appropriate referral to other suitably qualified persons.
No advice, guidance, assistance, representation or other support is provided by or in the name of the Lawyers Defence Group.
For further details please refer to the terms and conditions for use of this web site and to the terms and conditions of the firms involved.
The professional rules governing our lawyers can be found at rules.sra.org.uk
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