Legal Features

Articles

False promises

The proposed ban on referral fees is unlikely to bring about the positive changes promised by the government – it will just create hard work for regulators, argues Susanna Heley

Supply and demand

The latest ECJ decision on selective distribution agreements demonstrates a lack of understanding of consumer values, says Paul Stanley NO

Clinical negligence update

Dr Jock Mackenzie explores a recent case involving a claimant practitioner's reliance on res ipsa loquitur

Staying the course

Increasingly innovative planning solutions are required ?to help high-net-worth individuals mitigate tax. ?Rhona MacKinnon negotiates the obstacles

Taking root

Pension scheme trustees who approach their duties seriously and responsibly will flourish, says Carolyn Saunders

When all is said and done

Another week and another announcement by a wannabe ABS that it intends to get into the legal services market big time. First it was QualitySolicitors which suddenly raised the temperature last month by selling up to venture capitalists Palamon Capital. Then, a fortnight ago, Cooperative Legal Services – set up by the Co-op in 2006 before the Legal Services Act even received Royal Assent – said it would launch a family legal advice service as soon as the Solicitors Regulation Authority was in a position to regulate alternative business structures. And last week, In-Deed, the conveyancing service set up by Rightmove founder Harry Hill, said it will buy up law firms to expand its legal services offering into areas such as will writing and personal injury work.

Dead on arrival: nobody is interested in alternative business structures

Is the SRA's delay in getting ready for ABSs a clumsy oversight or a clever move accurately judging the mood of the public? asks Kerry Underwood

LeO's new naming and shaming policy needs clarification

With the ombudsman set to publish names of lawyers found at fault, firms should take complaints handling more seriously, says Kim Hobbs