Far from being a victory for the Independent Schools Council, the Upper Tribunal ruling on the interpretation of the 'public benefit' test vindicates the Charity Commission's careful approach to the letter of the law, says Alice Holt
What a relief for the profession. Judging by the number of applications for law courses, its future is safe. Graduate interest in law is still measured in thousands this year, with 13,139 applications, according to UCAS's latest figures. That's fewer than last year, for sure, which recorded 13,858 applications for law courses, but the drop is only 5.2 per cent – much better than the 7.9 per cent average across all subjects combined.
The government may be keen for not-for-profit organisations to provide deputyship services, but solicitors' advice will always be needed – particularly in more complicated cases, says Charlotte Watts
With growing competition and increasingly complex client situations, solicitors should avoid head-on competition with the new 'Tesco law' entrants and instead stay focused on the need to see will writing as part of a long-term end-to-end service, argues John Bunker
Sue Ashtiany considers the default retirement age, the new regulations for agency workers, the extended qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims and cases on religious belief
Residential conveyancers have dealt exceptionally well with the evolving legal landscape so far, and we should handle the arrival of ABSs and Tesco law in the same positive and proactive way, says Clare Martin
Another year, another change, and this one – outcomes-focused regulation – should be the last. But, with firms already crying out for guidance, the SRA must start to be more supportive if it is to make it a success, says Susanna Heley
