News 2016

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Law Society urges de-regulation caution 20 December, 2016 - Law Society warns that a desire for greater competition and deregulation in legal services sector must not be allowed to undermine consumer protection.
Law Society backs call for cold-calling ban 16 December, 2016 - Law Society calls for complete ban on cold calling in PI cases to protect consumers and prevent unscrupulous operators getting around existing rules
SRA to encourage firms to offer new services in new ways 16 December, 2016 - SRA publishes proposals which they hope will make it easier for law firms to develop new ideas and new thinking
LSB launches ABS survey 9 December, 2016 - LSB launches survey of all ABSs to try to understand more about the environment in which they function and the challenges they face
Conveyancing theft main law firm cybercrime issue 8 December, 2016 - SRA reveals email hacks of conveyancing transactions are the most common cybercrime in the legal sector, with £7m of client losses reported in the last year
Views Required on LSB & LeO 27 October, 2016 - The Ministry of Justice is seeking views on Legal Services Board and the Office for Legal Complaints as part of the UK government’s requirement to reform public…
Scots Issue Cyber Security Warning 27 October, 2016 - Law Society of Scotland issues warning that cyber security is one of the biggest issues facing solicitors.
Law Society Welcomes Government AML Stance 20 October, 2016 - Government's decision to retain the anti-money laundering (AML) consent regime welcomed by the Law Society
SRA issues investment schemes warning 27 September, 2016 - SRA issues warning to solicitors about the risks of involvement in high-yield investment schemes following reports of law firms being linked to potentially fraudulent incidents where clients have lost substantial amounts of money.
Exiting the EU: An update for lawyers 16 September, 2016 - SRA publishes report as to how law firms could be affected by the United Kingdom leaving the European Union
LSB publishes regulatory framework proposals 13 September, 2016 - LSB publishes its vision for legislative reform of the regulatory framework for legal services in England and Wales.
BSB launches survey on the future of legal services delivery 9 September, 2016 - The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched an online survey into how legal services are being delivered by barristers. It is hoped that the survey will help…
Law Society Rejects LSCP Fee Information Proposal 26 August, 2016 - Law Society rejects call from the Legal Services Consumer Panel for measures to force law firms to publish the average cost of services.
LeO Highlights Lawyer Failings 19 August, 2016 - LeO research shows lawyers are not making their clients aware of their right to complain about poor service
CMA Publishes Interim Report 8 August, 2016 - CMA publishes interim report setting out its initial findings and emerging views into the provision of legal services in England and Wales.
2016/2017 Fee Levels 28 July, 2016 - SRA submits lower practising fees to LSB for approval
LSB updates consumer complaints guidance for regulators 23 July, 2016 - LSB publishes updated requirements and guidance for regulators on complaints handling - covering complaints made through lawyers' in-house procedures and signposting to the Legal Ombudsman
Review of restrictions on choice of PII insurer 16 July, 2016 - LSB publishes findings of its thematic review of restrictions on choice of insurer including the independent advice from the Regulatory Policy Institute (RPI).
Bar regulator to address unfair treatment of women at the Bar 13 July, 2016 - The Bar Standards Board will be writing to every multi-tenant chambers across the country to seek their help in improving compliance with the Equality Rules, following the…
LSB research reveals extent of unregulated providers market shares 28 June, 2016 - The Legal Services Board has today published its unregulated providers research project findings which significantly advances understanding of unregulated provision of legal services.
SRA publishes PC fees 28 June, 2016 - SRA publish this year's initial fees calculator to give firms an idea of their costs for practising in 2016/17.
McKenzie Friends in family courts to come under microscope 17 June, 2016 - The activities of unregulated, untrained and uninsured McKenzie Friends in the family courts is to come under the microscope with the commissioning of field research by the Bar Council into how they handle court work.
Law Society continues fight against organised crime 10 June, 2016 - Law Society of England and Wales has vowed to continue to play a full part in the fight against organised crime building on its work with government, law enforcement and other professional bodies to tackle money laundering
Law Society expresses strong reservations over Land Registry privatisation plans 31 May, 2016 - Law Society stresses need for continued state guarantee and safeguards to minimise corruption and fraud if land registry plans go ahead
SRA highlights importance of wellbeing for solicitors 31 May, 2016 - SRA launches a package of support to help solicitors who may be suffering in silence.
Largest ever legal needs survey in England and Wales 26 May, 2016 - 8,000 respond to legal needs survey showing that only 35% obtained legal advice
Anti-corruption statement from professional bodies across the UK 13 May, 2016 - Professional bodies spanning law and accountancy pledged to work to tackle bribery, corruption, tax-evasion, money laundering and the financing of international terrorism.
Insurance change would increase flexibility for firms 26 April, 2016 - Solicitors Regulation Authority proposes change to the Participating Insurers Agreement which would make it is easier for firms to switch their regulator and thus improve competition in the market.
6 months to training change 22 April, 2016 - With less than six months to go until the old CPD requirements no longer apply, the SRA is reminding solicitors and law firms to get ready for the new approach to continuing competence.
Barristers predict an increase in public access work 20 April, 2016 - new research indicates public access barristers are expecting the volume of work obtained directly from clients to increase over the next few years as a result of the public access scheme which allows consumers to use barristers directly.
LSB states the obvious! 10 April, 2016 - New research published by the Legal Services Board has shown that, as could probably have been expected, shopping around for legal services can save the consumer money.
SRA Handbook reaches version 16 3 April, 2016 - SRA publishes the 16th version of the Handbook containing the new regime for consumer credit
Law Society of Scotland pushes for reform 29 March, 2016 - Law Society of Scotland requests new legislation to better protect consumers and allow the Scottish legal services market to thrive
Law Firm Database 29 March, 2016 - SRA launches a new searchable, online law firm database showing if firm is authorised by the SRA
SRA issues personal injury fraud warning 22 March, 2016 - SRA issues warning notice on potential fraud in personal injury cases and reminding the profession of its obligations.
2020 end to post run-off insurance cover 11 March, 2016 - SRA confirms there will be no extension to arrangements providing insurance cover for closed firms beyond the current six-year run-off period
Bar Council tackles sexual harassment 8 March, 2016 - Bar Council publishes new guide for chambers aimed at tackling any residual sexual harassment in the profession
Public Support for Independent Regulation 24 February, 2016 - SRA publishes details of new research which, it says, shows strong public support for Treasury proposals to fully separate legal regulators from professional bodies.
LSB report on in-house regulation 14 February, 2016 - LSB publishes statement of principles it will have regard to when making statutory decisions about regulatory arrangements affecting in-house lawyers.
Law Society of Scotland issues guides for new parents 12 February, 2016 - Law Society of Scotland issues new guides to help parents have a smooth return to work after maternity, shared-parental or adoption leave
Bar Council issues revised money laundering guidance 5 February, 2016 - Bar Council issues new guidance to draw barristers' attention to their obligations in relation to countering money laundering and terrorist financing
LSB approves SRA reserved activity rule change 30 January, 2016 - LSB approves SRA rule change to remove the power to suspend a firm's authorisation to carry out reserved activities because of inactivity.
Report calls for tougher action against dishonest solicitors 26 January, 2016 - Insurance Fraud Taskforce publishes final report and calls for the SRA to get tougher with dishonest solicitors
Discriminatory instructions guidance from Bar Council 22 January, 2016 - Bar Council issues guidance to all barristers about how to deal with instructions that are discriminatory
SRA publishes consumer credit toolkit 21 January, 2016 - SRA publishes a consumer credit toolkit to help firms ensure the services they deliver are compliant with the new regulatory regime.