News 2018
News 2018
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LSB publishes report on legal innovation 13 December, 2018 - LSB publishes latest detailed picture of levels of innovation and use of technology in legal services in England and Wales
CILEx warns leasehold reform must tackle managing agents 9 December, 2018 - CILEx tells the government that its proposed plans for leasehold reform will be undermined unless they regulate managing agents.
SRA Digital Badge launched 7 December, 2018 - SRA announce the launch of their digital badge for solicitor websites to coincide with price transparency launch.
Solicitors reminded to adhere to their litigation obligations 1 December, 2018 - SRA reissues "Balancing Duties in Litigation" paper, reminding solicitors they must adhere to all professional obligations in litigation and not become “hired guns” just carrying out instructions.
BSB introduces new intervention rules 23 November, 2018 - BSB publishes updated version of its Handbook to introduce new rules governing regulatory interventions
SRA introducing SQE in autumn 2021 12 November, 2018 - SRA announce that the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) - will be introduced in autumn 2021, with the candidate fee likely to range between £3,000 - £4,500.
Date for New transparency Rules 6 November, 2018 - SRA announces new transparency rules, requiring firms to publish price and service information on their websites, will come into effect on 6 December 2018
SRA urges caution over new legal business partners 25 September, 2018 - SRA urges solicitors to ensure that the credentials of people approaching their firm to offer business expansion are genuine
Third of Scottish Solicitors have Experienced Violence or Threats 19 September, 2018 - Scottish Law Society reveals one third of Scottish solicitors have been victims of violence or threatening behaviour in connection with their work.
BSB seeks views on draft of new Bar transparency rules 17 September, 2018 - BSB launches consultation to seek views about its proposed new rules to improve transparency standards for clients of the Bar
Law Society predicts growth in legal sector will halve if Britain crashes out of EU 25 August, 2018 - Law Society predicts that almost £3bn could be stripped from legal sector turnover by 2025 if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal following Brexit. 
Reports of money laundering, cybercrime and dubious investment schemes all on the rise 27 July, 2018 - SRA reports that new statistics reveal that the risks posed to the public and law firms from money laundering, cybercrime and dubious investment schemes have all reached record levels- CILEx approved as ABS licensing authority 20 July, 2018 - Application by CILEx Regulation made on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives’ (CILEx) to license alternative business structures (ABS) has been approved.
- BSB explains how it assures competence at the Bar 9 July, 2018 - BSB publishes more detail about how it assures the competence of barristers
SRA approach to European Insurance Distribution Directive approved 3 July, 2018 - SRA have had their approach to dealing with the new European Insurance Distribution Directive approved by the Financial Conduct Authority and Legal Services Board
Guide to finding EU law online 27 June, 2018 - Law Society of Ireland publishes a helpful guide to how to find EU law online.
Appointment of a new Chair to the Legal Services Board 23 June, 2018 - Dr Helen Phillips has been appointed as Chair of the Legal Services Board with effect from 18 June 2018 to 31 March 2023.
SRA announces detail of regulatory reforms 16 June, 2018 - SRA publishes further details of reforms designed to provide solicitors with greater operational flexibility and making legal services more accessible to the public. 
SRA sets 2018/19 contributions to the Compensation Fund 13 June, 2018 - SRA sets the level of contributions to the Compensation Fund for 2018/19 which show a large increase over last year's figures.- CILEx Launches Monthly Compendium 9 June, 2018 - CILEx launches a new monthly publication to assist its members to keep up to date with changes in the law and regulation.
SRA publishes research on trainee salaries 26 May, 2018 - SRA publishes results of research showing that since the removal of the minimum trainee salary, trainee numbers have increased and they are more positive about their salaries, even though average trainee salaries have dropped.
Bar Council backs calls to end harassment at the Bar 23 May, 2018 - Bar Council admit that harassment and bullying has been, and remains, a key priority for the organisation and have called for an end.
SRA sees accountant report numbers fall 12 May, 2018 - SRA reveals that the number of accountants' reports being submitted for review has fallen by two-thirds since changes to the rules were introduced.- CILEx launches consultation in next stage of reforms 19 April, 2018 - CILEx is conducting a consultation that will determine how it operates into the future.
Law Society warns of criminal defence lawyer extinction 19 April, 2018 - Law Society warns that criminal defence lawyers in England and Wales could become extinct as it unveiled new data showing a looming crisis in the number of defence solicitors- Bar Standards Board publishes guide on with vulnerable immigration clients 19 April, 2018 - BSB publishes online guide to assist immigration barristers when they work closely with vulnerable clients which it hopes will help immigration barristers identify, assess and manage vulnerable clients and meet regulatory and other legal duties.
- SRA calls on firms to reduce level of PPI fees 8 April, 2018 - The SRA is re-iterating its call for law firms to consider how much they charge in relation to PPI work in the light of a thematic review on PPI revealing that four out of five firms are routinely charging fees of more than 25%
LSB gives go-ahead on first stage of solicitor qualification reforms 29 March, 2018 - Employers and education suppliers are being urged to push ahead with their preparations for the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
New approach to improve transparency for clients of the Bar 28 February, 2018 - BSB sets out a revised approach to improve transparency standards for clients of the Bar and meet minimum standards in relation to service and redress.
CLC aims to be ‘regulator of choice’ by 2022 26 February, 2018 - The CLC sets out its ambition to be the regulator of choice for all property lawyers by 2022 and to focus on its existing strengths - namely property lawyers.
Redemption Statements Scam 18 February, 2018 - Scottish law firms being targeted by a redemption statement scam when acting in sale or remortgage transactions, the Law Society of Scotland report.- LSB publishes further research on legal needs of SMEs 16 February, 2018 - LSB publishes third research report focusing on the legal needs of small businesses and looks at how their views have changed. It finds, inter alia, that just 11% of small businesses believe that lawyers provide a cost effective means to resolve legal issues.
LSB gives approval for the ACCA to start authorising probate activities 30 January, 2018 - LSB grants application of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to introduce regulatory arrangements for probate activities- Diversity at the Bar 26 January, 2018 - BSB publishes annual report on Diversity at the Bar which shows an increase both in diversity at the Bar and in relation to the disclosure rates.
New AML rules lead to mandatory information request 24 January, 2018 - New anti-money-laundering regulations require SRA to obtain comprehensive information from law firms about people working in certain roles.
SRA issues revised PI Warning Notice 2 January, 2018 - SRA issues revised warning notice amid concerns over handling by solicitors of personal injury work