http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk Supporting legal practitoners Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:58:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 03 September 2010 The Institute of Legal Cashiers and Administrators (ILCA) based in Sidcup, Kent, has today announced that with effect from 12th November 2010 it will change its name to the Institute of Legal Finance and Management (ILFM) Over the past few months the Executive Council of the ILCA have been ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/the-institute-of-legal-cashiers-and-administrators-to-change-name/ 01 September 2010 Today sees the launch by the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) of the new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS). Designed to strengthen the procedures for assessing internationally qualified lawyers, and other lawyers qualified in the UK, who wish to practise as solicitors in England and Wales, it is hoped that ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/sra-launches-new-qualified-lawyer-transfer-scheme/ 1 September 2010 An application to the Legal Services Board has been made by ILEX seeking approval of proposals by which ILEX may award members the right to provide probate services, which is a reserved legal activity. The proposal would enable ILEX to authorise its members to perform the grant of probate, ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/ilex-apply-for-probate-rights/ 27 August 2010 The Ministry of Justice has issued a revised statement - principally aimed at claims management companies - stating that they are aware that many businesses are taking ‘up-front’ fees without providing prospective clients with compulsory, pre-contract information as required by the Conduct of Authorised Person Rules 2007. They ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/moj-issues-updated-warning-on-up-front-fees/ 27 August 2010 The Finance & Audit Committee of the Bar Council (FAC) has issued an explanatory note setting out a detailed explanation of proposed changes to the Practising Certificate Fee for 2011/12 and for the Bar Council budget. In what is a comprehensive proposal, the Council have proposed a number of ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/bar-council-practising-certificate-fees/ Legal Services Board Consultation closes 12 November 2010 The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published a consultation on proposals to establish the appeals mechanism on decisions of Licensing Authorities under the Alternative Business Structures (ABS) framework. Licensing Authorities (LAs) will be at the centre of the ABS licensing system. Bodies granted the power ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/lsb-consultation-on-appeals-mechanisms-around-abs/ 23 August 2010 Following substantial debate as to the risks created by solicitors giving undertakings in commercial property transactions, and following a consultation which received 184 separate submissions, the Council of the Law Society of Ireland has decided at its meeting on 16th July, 2010, to make new regulations to ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/new-regulations-on-commercial-undertakings-in-ireland/ 23 August 2010 The President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland is encouraging solicitor firms to access a new publication which provides practice management advice and guidance in these troubled economic times. As part of its drive to support the profession the Practice Management and Development Committee of the Law ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/president-recommends-practice-management-publication/ 23 August 2010 The Law Society of Scotland has appointed Equality Works to carry out research into bullying and harassment in the legal profession. The researchers are now looking for people from across the profession – from trainees to partners and paralegals and support staff to share their experiences and also suggestions ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/scottish-law-society-to-research-bullying-in-the-profession/ An article last month in Scottish legal magazine The Firm entitled “Vast majority of solicitors totally unaware of Law Society constitution consultation” is something of an indictment on the extent to which lawyers engage with their regulatory body. It begs the question of whether the average lawyer actually cares about ... http://www.lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk/do-lawyers-care-about-their-regulators/