News 2012

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LSB reports on performance of regulators in the legal services sector 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.
SRA warns that firms risk missing COLPs and COFAs approvals deadline 10 December, 2012 - SRA issues warning to firms who have not put in place their COLP and COFA
CLC opposes coneyancing referral ban 10 November, 2012 - The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has issued a consultation requesting responses as to whether, based on the evidence available, a ban on referrals is justified.
SRA confirms fees structure for 2012/13 4 September, 2012 - Law Society Council and Legal Services Board ratify the SRA's approach to fees for the year 2012/13.
Second paper published by Legal Education and Training Review Team 4 September, 2012 - LETR publishes paper suggesting changes to the current system of legal education and training to ensure that legal professionals possess the necessary skills to practise in the future
CML issues new seperate representation instructions 22 June, 2012 - The Council of Mortgage Lenders has issued a new set of instructions for conveyancers acting for lenders under separate representation conveyancing transactions in England and Wales.
SRA Handbook goes to version 4 21 June, 2012 - SRA launches the fourth version of its handbook just 10 months after launch.
LSCP urges widening of Legal Ombudsman complainants 15 June, 2012 - Legal Services Consumer Panel urges the Legal Ombudsman to begin to accept certain complaints from those other than lawyers' clients.
SRA looks at best way forward for referral fee ban 14 June, 2012 - SRA seeks views as to the best way to deal with the Government's ban on referral fees in personal injury cases
SRA Board makes financial protection plans 29 May, 2012 - As part of its annual review process, the Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has decided to make a number of changes to its Financial Protection Policy.
SRA announces decision on minimum salary for trainees 18 May, 2012 - SRA announces removal of minimum salary for trainee solicitors provided that the salary paid is above the national minimum wage
Eddie Stobart – barrister at law? 18 May, 2012 - Eddie Stobart, the road haulage group has launches a direct access barrister service linking individuals directly to barristers
Diversity among judges to be promoted 11 May, 2012 - Plans announced today by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke will mean that more women and those from minority backgrounds will be encouraged to become judges.
Regulators agree to share information 4 May, 2012 - Regulators from across the legal, accountancy, financial and property sectors enter into a formal agreement that will allow greater sharing of information in the public interest.
SRA announces names of first ABSs 28 March, 2012 - SRA announces the names of the first three ABSs - "huge milestone for UK legal services" claims Djanogly
Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank back Law Society Conveyancing Scheme 27 March, 2012 - Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank are backing Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme by requiring panel members to have the CQS mark
Junior Lawyers call for minimum wage consultation delay 19 March, 2012 - JLD calls upon the Solicitors Regulation Authority to delay its consultation on scrapping the minimum wage until after the Legal Education and Training Review and the gathering of further evidence.
SRA releases advice on recruiting COLPs and COFAs 15 March, 2012 - SRA extends COLP and COFA registration deadline and provides some basic advice.
BSB & Bar Council launch Barrister Connect 13 March, 2012 - BSB and the Bar Council launch a new system, called Barrister Connect, to enable barristers to renew their practising certificates online.
SRA to maintain fees structure 12 March, 2012 - SRA Board decides that the current structure for practising fees should be maintained - including in respect of the proportion of Compensation Fund contributions.
Online parental support hub launched by Bar Council 12 March, 2012 - Bar Council launches Parental Support Hub for those combining practice with parenthood or primary carer responsibilities.
SRA postpones COLP & COFA registrations 28 February, 2012 - SRA announces postponement of the date upon which nominations of COLPs and COFAs may proceed
Law Society consults about conveyancing forms 24 February, 2012 - Law Society seeking views on improvements to conveyancing forms TA6 and TA10
Law Society to lobby SRA to extend run-off scheme 24 February, 2012 - The Law Society urges the Solicitors Regulation Authority to extend the scheme that provides professional indemnity insurance (PII) run-off cover to solicitors after the end of the contractual six year period
SRA issues SDLT Scheme Warning 20 February, 2012 - SRA issues warning to those solicitors planning to become involved in Stamp Duty Land Tax schemes.
LeO changes postal address 20 February, 2012 - Legal Ombudsman changes address for postal communications forcing solicitors to make changes to client care letters.
ABS applications to SRA approach 100 in first month 9 February, 2012 - SRA announces almost 100 ABS applications in the first month and that it is hoping to process many of the straightforward ones quickly.
IBA publishes global report on social networking and the legal profession 9 February, 2012 - IBA publishes a report examining the role of online social networking within the legal profession and legal practice, and assessing whether there is a need to set principles regarding usage.
Scottish Law Society opens latest stage of constitution consultation 9 February, 2012 - Scottish Law Society's consultation on a new constitution to strengthen member rights, improve corporate governance and increase transparency.
Law Society of Scotland publishes equality strategy 7 February, 2012 - Law Society of Scotland publishes agenda-setting equality and diversity strategy for the organisation and wider profession
Law Society President predicts solicitors and barristers will come closer together 26 January, 2012 - Law Society President John Wotton predicts that barristers and solicitors will, in the future, increasingly work together in the same practices.
Law firms could face claims for overpaid legal aid 23 January, 2012 - LSC win in recovery cases could see legal aid solicitors subject to more claims for refund of overpayment by Legal Services Commission
SRA issues PPI responsibilities reminder 18 January, 2012 - SRA reminds solicitors of their responsibilities when canvassing for clients that want help with claiming for mis-sold payment protection insurance.
Bar Council and Bar Standards Board Publish ‘Bar Barometer’ 18 January, 2012 - Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board publish "Bar Barometer", an annual report produced by the Research Department setting out statistical trends within the Bar.
Cloud computing guidance 18 January, 2012 - Law Society of Scotland issues guidance for Scottish solicitors on the potential problems of cloud computing.
SRA to consult on minumum salary for trainees 12 January, 2012 - After 30 years of operating a minimum salary for trainees, the SRA has decided to consult on whether there should in future be a minimum pay rates for trainees
Otterburn survey – continuing merger activity 11 January, 2012 - Survey reveals continuing interest by solicitors firms in merger
Ministry of Justice launches triennial review 11 January, 2012 - Ministry of Justice to review the Legal Services Board (LSB) and the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) as part of triennial review process
Law Society urges social networking caution 9 January, 2012 - Law Society warns solicitors to be cautious about adding a client on sites such as Facebook for fear of merging professional and personal lives leading to a breach of client confidentiality.
Law Society and SRA to move to Birmingham 4 January, 2012 - SRA announces summer move to 57,000 sq ft offices in centre of Birmingham