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Court issues warning to lawyers as LeO secures first fine

A solicitor has become the first lawyer to be fined by the High Court for failing to cooperate with an investigation by the Legal Ombudsman.

Value in commercial legal services is much more complex than fees

By Deepak Malhotra, Director of Strategy and Transformation, Fusion Universal

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

Fair and loathing

The ruling in Jones v Kernott indicates the court will take greater account of what it considers 'fair' in cohabitation disputes, but will it bring about substantial change or will campaigners have to wait for legislation to reform the law? Adam Colenso considers the likely impact of the decision, while Richard Power, who represented Patricia Jones in the case, gives the inside view

Loosening up

The courts are beginning to take a more relaxed approach to making an order for security for costs, says Max Robinson

Insolvency update

Denise Fawcett considers the Paymex repayments guidance, invalid administration appointments, setting aside a statutory demand and relief for a transaction at an undervalue