There’s a quiet revolution happening which I think has the potential to bring about quite some change in how many solicitors firms operate and affect their economic model. Many firms seek to drive down the cost of production and drive up profit by employing paralegals to do less complex and lower value work. I know. […]
If you have or are a consultant solicitor the IR35 will be high on your agenda. We are not experts on this but have come across this resource for expert advice to ensure that you are compliant. Expert advice and insurance against HMRC investigations. This has been recommended to us, so we thought we'd share […]
The government has decided that the Fast Track will be extended to cases valued up £100,000 and thus that Fixed Recoverable Costs will be extended accordingly. Clin Neg are excluded because they are the subject of a separate review. There are 4 categories of complexity which will determine the level of costs allowed. In case […]
We provide AML training both for businesses in the Legal Sector and for FCA regulated firms. SRA regulated firms - did you know that Lexcel requires firms to review policies and training EACH year? The Legal Sector Affinity Group Anti-Money Laundering Guidance states that all employees and agents should receive training at regular and appropriate […]
If nothing else, the pandemic has showed the value of good financial awareness and the value of cash in the bank. I think the economic outflow of the pandemic is still to hit us. Those businesses with a strong cash basis and good awareness of their finances will be in a stronger position to take […]
The SRA is running rolling programme of checks on all law firm websites to make sure you are complying with our transparency rules. They will be checking all law firm sites, including those of firms who have previously filled in a self-declaration stating that they are fully compliant. Embarrassing if you have said it is […]
The current thinking is that Legal Aid tenders will become available this autumn (2021). If you want to tender you will need to have the SQM or Lexcel quality mark. SQM is likely to take at least 3 months to obtain and Lexcel 4. Time to get moving. Give us a shout if you would […]
SQE Registration & Bookings Before someone can sit an SQE assessment, you will need to create your SQE account. Registration is now open, and you’ll need to follow these steps: go to the SQE assessment website to sign up: https://sqe.sra.org.uk/email-verification verify your photo ID complete a diversity survey tell them about any exemptions (qualified lawyers […]
9th July 2021 the UK government released 2 new Practice Directions for the process for the appointment of Official Solicitor as litigation friend for: a) someone lacking capacity to conduct personal welfare proceedings and b) for the person concerned for property and financial affairs proceedings in the Court of Protection a) Welfare This contains information […]
I don't know what's going on, but over the last couple of months we've been contacted out of the blue by 3 solicitors firms asking us to carry out a stress test on their compliance - so they are prepared should the SRA want to visit. No advertising. Fortunately we can cover all bases: AML, […]
