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Law Society Professional Update : 17th February 2012

17.02.2012

Professional Update

17 February 2012

HSBC: call for action

Help our lobbying

Since meeting with senior representatives of HSBC to discuss the bank's conveyancing panel, we are now calling on the profession to follow the Law Society's lead in challenging HSBC's panel policy.
Read our latest statement and download lobbying tools

HSBC revises undertakings

After meeting with the Law Society, HSBC has revised the documentation issued by the solicitor acting on behalf of HSBC to the borrower's solicitor in separate representation cases.
Find out more about the documentation

Society criticises plans to increase court fees

The Law Society has criticised government proposals to increase fees in the high court and court of appeal civil division. It is essential that litigants are not deterred from accessing the civil justice system by inappropriate fee levels.
Read our views on court fees

Advocate assessment scheme

Society backs senior judge's QASA concerns

The Law Society has backed a senior judge's concerns over the new Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA). Lord Justice Moses has warned that plans to assess the court performance of advocates will turn trials into 'job applications' and boost appeals by convicted criminals.
Read the full story

Bar Standards Board research

The Bar Standards Board has engaged research company ORC to survey stakeholders with a view to benchmarking positions for the QASA. The SRA has not endorsed the research and we believe this project should be supported by all the regulators. If you are contacted, you may wish to bear this in mind when deciding whether to respond.

Exclusive discounts on law webinars

LexisNexis, in association with the Law Society, is pleased to offer discounted webinar rates to all Law Society members when you book two or more webinars, for a limited time.
Take advantage of these exclusive rates

Family tender for licence-only contracts

The legal aid tender for family licensed work closes at noon on Monday 20 February. Applications must be made through the Legal Services Commission's online eTendering system. Those that were successful in the recent tender exercise need not apply.
Full application details

Online renewal deadline extended

The SRA has extended the completion date for online renewals until at least the end of February to allow the profession further time to complete the process. No one will be penalised for non-completion while the system remains open.
Visit the SRA's website for more information

Save £29 on Litigation Funding magazine

Published every two months by the Law Society, Litigation Funding magazine provides in-depth coverage and comment on the complex issues of financing litigation and costs.
More information and subscription details
Join the Civil Justice Section

Training and events

LPC student forum

Get free advice from current trainees on how to secure a training contract, including tips on writing applications and CVs and how to stand out at interviews.
Book your place

Planning, real estate and the Localism Act – 3 hours CPD

This seminar will introduce you to the main planning provisions in the Localism Act and the changes to the ways in which local planning authorities will operate.
Book your place

Implementing Lexcel for mid-size to large firms - 6 hours CPD

Get a better understanding of the Lexcel standard and its associated processes. This seminar is suitable for professionals from Lexcel accredited and non-accredited legal practices with 10-50 partners.
Book your place

How to market your services

The second edition of Marketing Legal Services looks at the introduction of alternative business structures and explains how firms can compete using traditional marketing
methods and social media.
Find out more and order your copy

Making the most of your membership

	All the features you would expect with a rate of typical 9.9% APR (variable) on all purchases. Find out more
	Accuity offers members specially negotiated rates on PEP and Sanctions screening. Find out more