Criminal legal aid: duty contracts consultation

Support pack for member responses

The Law Society has put together a support pack to help members respond to the Ministry of Justice consultation on the Otterburn and KPMG reports. The consultation closes on 15 October.
View our support pack

Law Society calls on MPs to investigate consultation

The Law Society has called on MPs to publicly scrutinise the duty contract consultation. We have warned Alan Beith, chair of the Justice Select Committee, and Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, about the serious risk to the future availability of criminal defence services.

Stay up to date with our campaign on our Twitter channel and the hashtag #Access2Justice.


Expanding into international markets? Find out how the Law Society can help

Paul MarmorThe Law Society’s International Division offers practical support, training and advice to help firms expand into international markets.

Paul Marmor, partner at Sherrards Solicitors LLP, shares his experience of how the Law Society promotes members internationally and why he values his International Division membership.


Listen to Paul’s story

Listen to other members share their story


New intestacy laws: implications for solicitors

The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014 came into force on 1 October 2014. It makes various changes to the intestacy rules, to sections relating to family provision claims and to some trustee powers.
Read our summary of the changes


Law Society responds to Cameron’s call to scrap Human Rights Act

The Law Society has called for the Human Rights Act to be retained. We have warned the government that replacing it with a bill of rights would be an unnecessary duplication and complication in the protection of human rights.
Read our full reponse


Do you want to make a difference to the future of the legal profession?

The Junior Lawyers Division is looking for new candidates to represent over 75,000 students, trainees and solicitors from across England and Wales in a national and international forum.
Find out more about the roles and apply – deadline: 26 October


Law Society manifesto 2015

The Law Society has set out its policy recommendations for the next government. Between now and the 2015 general election, we will be using our manifesto to inform politicians about the part the law plays in making society fairer, strengthening our global standing and boosting our economy.

As we enter the final party conference this weekend – the Liberal Democrats – read our manifesto.


Legal Compliance Bulletin

Legal Compliance BulletinNew changes in the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct and the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules will extend compliance obligations to include not just solicitors but all members of staff.

Keep up to date with the latest rules and regulations governing your staff with help from the Legal Compliance Bulletin.

Find out more and subscribe


Difficulty getting PII cover?

If you have gone into the extended indemnity period (EIP) and need help with finding an insurer, call our PII helpline on 020 7320 9545.
Read our updated guide to see who is in the market (PDF)
Read our guide to the EIP


Ombudsman to launch online complaints portal

In October, the Legal Ombudsman will be launching a complaints portal. Solicitors will be able to handle complaints made to the ombudsman through an online account.
Find out more on the ombudsman’s website


Law Society provides evidence to investigatory powers review

The Law Society has called for a revision and clarification of the UK’s regulatory framework for investigatory powers.
Read more


Land Registry changes practice for restrictions on leasehold registered titles

From 20 October, Land Registry will be implementing practice changes to help prevent restrictions on leasehold registered titles creating problems, where the restriction calls for the consent of a particular named lessor or managing agent, and that lessor or managing agent has changed or been dissolved.
Read more


National media promotes solicitors

consumer campaignBBC Breakfast News and the Daily Express covered our Use a Professional, Use a Solicitor campaign this week, reinforcing this key message to millions of consumers.

Order the campaign pack and customise the posters, ads and postcards with your logo and contact details.


Training and events

Small Firms Division conferences 2014 – 4 CPD hours

These half-day conferences in London and Leeds will help you to attract and retain clients, increase profitability and develop commercial channels to create a pipeline of new work.

Topics covered include innovation for small firms, evaluation of future options, compliance, marketing and financial management.
Book the London conference – 9 October
Book the Leeds conference – 18 November
Find out more about the Small Firms Division

Sponsored by:

Fujitsu
Chancery Pii

Commercial litigation: the post-Jackson world – 3 CPD hours

This event assesses the impact of the first 18 months of the Jackson reforms. Litigators will learn about and share experiences of the latest developments, with a high-calibre lineup, including Lord Justice Jackson, litigation solicitors and barristers. Delegates will be given the opportunity to ask questions and join in debate from the floor.
Book today – 20 October

Employment law update 2014

This webinar provides a comprehensive update on recent cases, and an overview and commentary on selected key EU and UK employment law developments over the past year. It will include future developments in holiday pay, shared parental leave and other family friendly developments, TUPE, whistleblowing and key procedural changes.
Book today – 30 October

Law Management Section finance and business conference 2014 – 5 CPD hours

Pick up new ideas to help your firm thrive in the current challenging environment.

This year’s programme features some excellent and inspirational speakers who will give practical and insightful guidance on achieving and managing success. Book your place by Monday 6 October 2014 and save £50.
Book today – 6 November
Join the Law Management Section

Associate sponsor:
Moneypenny

 


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Solicitors Regulation Authority Listens to BME Solicitors at Birmingham Event

Forty black and minority ethnic solicitors from the West Midlands attended a free event in Birmingham yesterday organised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and supported by the Black Solicitors Network. The event ‘Engaging with BME Solicitors’ featured presentations by SRA Chair Peter Williamson and Chief Executive Antony Townsend, and practical workshops for delegates on…

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Booming African economies offer lucrative opportunities for UK law firms

BSN City Group’s latest event “Africa Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges” held on Monday 15th March made the legal press this week. The event featured industry, financial markets and legal specialists speaking on business and economic successes and challenges, prospects for investment growth and managing legal and regulatory risk when investing in Africa. This well…

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Diversity League Table 2009: The Results

Thompsons leads the pack, with Allen & Overy, Wedlake Bell and Arnold & Porter, all heading up key areas in the Diversity League Table 2009. In spite of the difficult economic climate, it is clear that diversity and equality of opportunity are still high on the agenda for some of the UK’s leading firms; with…

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Excellence Awards 2008 – nominations open

This year’s Law Society Excellence Awards are now open for nominations with new categories including client service, marketing and business development, and exporting legal services. Last year’s awards established the event as a prestigious date in the legal calendar, recognising and rewarding the most outstanding practitioners in the legal professions. Winning an award is a…

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Black and minority ethnic forum

The Law Society will also be launching a black and minority ethnic (BME) forum in July to address inequalities of pay for BME solicitors. The forum will provide the Law Society and BME groups with the opportunity to look at the issues highlighted by the survey more closely and present suggestions as to how to…

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David Lammy Speech to the Black Solicitors Network

REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO A MORE REPRESENTATIVE LEGAL PROFESSION Is the magic circle of large commercial law firms largely closed to black and ethnic minority lawyers? Can the Government dismantle barriers to a more diverse and representative judiciary and legal profession? These were the key messages in a speech by Minister David Lammy to the…