Outcomes-focused regulation...
Posted by admin in Outcomes-focused regulation on 12 19th, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction Outcomes focused regulation (OFR) has been hailed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as regulation in the public interest and for the benefit of clients. In introducing OFR, the SRA has moved away from what it describes as a “detailed and prescriptive rulebook” to one that is “targeted,...
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Introduction to the Solicitors Handbook ...
Posted by admin in Outcomes-focused regulation on 12 19th, 2011 | Comments Off
The SRA Handbook The move to outcomes focused regulation has been accompanied by the publication of a new definitive source of those rules and regulations by which solicitors, recognised bodies, alternative business structures and everyone else involved in a solicitors’ practice must abide. This is...
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Law Society supports firms in developing...
Posted by admin in News Items on 12 14th, 2011 | Comments Off
14 December 2011 The Law Society has developed a protocol to help firms implement flexible working practices. It provides a clear business case for flexible working through practical advice and checklists, demonstrating economic, environmental and personnel benefits. Law Society research highlighted...
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BSB seeks easier route for public to ins...
Posted by admin in Consultations on 12 14th, 2011 | Comments Off
BSB Consultation Consultation closes on Tuesday 9 March 2012. The Bar Standards Board (BSB), the regulatory body for barristers in England and Wales, is consulting on amendments to its Code of Conduct for barristers following a review of its public access rules. Barristers are usually instructed by solicitors...
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Bar Council Calls for Contingent Legal A...
Posted by admin in News Items on 12 14th, 2011 | Comments Off
14 December 2011 A report commissioned from economic consultants Europe Economics by the Bar Council has been published which puts forward the view that a Contingent Legal Aid Funds (CLAF) has merit and should be taken forward as one of a number of sources of potential funding for civil litigation. The...
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Draft Complaint Policy...
Posted by admin in Complaint policy on 12 13th, 2011 | Comments Off
The following draft policy can be adapted by you to suit the needs of your practice. Used in conjunction with the item on implementing a draft policy it should make easier the task of putting such a policy into force. The draft has been written to take account of the needs of different types and sizes...
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Implementing a complaint handling proced...
Posted by admin in Implementing complaint handling procedures on 12 13th, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction Knowing why you need a complaint handling process may be an essential step, but actually getting down to producing a policy which deals with all of the appropriate issues is quite another. In this section we look at some of the factors to be borne in mind and some of the issues which will...
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Need for complaint procedure...
Posted by admin in Need for complaint handling procedure on 12 13th, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction There are a number of very good reasons why a firm should – indeed must – have a complaint handling system. Some of those reasons are regulatory whilst others, often the most convincing arguments, are practical, business-focused and competitive. In this section we will look...
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Complaint Handling...
Posted by admin in Complaint Handling, Introduction to complaint handling on 12 13th, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction Keeping clients happy is not always easy, no matter how well you do the job and how little you charge. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, clients are satisfied with the services which they receive from their solicitor, barrister, legal executive or other lawyer. Every so often,...
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Chapter 1 – Client care...
Posted by admin in Outcomes-focused regulation on 12 10th, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction Outcomes focused regulation (OFR) is, so the Solicitors Regulation Authority tell us, all about putting the client first and achieving the right outcomes for clients. It is appropriate, therefore, that the first chapter of the SRA Code of Conduct (New Code) should deal with the issue of...
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Provision of information and documents b...
Posted by admin in Provision of information and documents by solicitors on 12 8th, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction The Solicitors Regulation Authority (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. This power has been contained in section 44B of the Solicitors Act 1974. However, the...
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SRA announces start date for ABS applica...
Posted by admin in News Items on 12 3rd, 2011 | Comments Off
3 December 2011 The Solicitors Regulation Authority has announced that it is to begin accepting licensing applications for alternative business structures (ABS) from 3 January 2012. The Order designating the SRA as a licensing authority will come into force on 23 December and the SRA has set the date...
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Practising Certificates...
Posted by admin in Practising Certificates on 12 2nd, 2011 | Comments Off
Introduction In order for any solicitor to be able to practice, or to be held out as a solicitor, in England & Wales then he or she must be admitted as a solicitor, be on the roll of solicitors and, except in very limited circumstances, hold a current practising certificate issued by the Solicitors...
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