Professional Update – 25 April 2013

25 April 2013

Society secures concessions on shares-for-rights scheme

The Law Society has helped to secure major concessions on the government’s ‘shares-for-rights’ scheme, which allows employers to offer company shares to workers in exchange for them giving up basic employment rights.
Read more about the concessions
Read our press release on this issue

Land Registry update: entering price paid or value stated in the register

Land Registry has updated its practice on entering the price paid or value stated in the register. The new practice applies from 1 May 2013.
Read more about the changes

Legal aid reforms

The impact of LASPO: complete our survey

Following the LASPO changes, it is likely that legal aid practitioners are having to turn away clients due to the scope cuts. Help us monitor the impact of LASPO by providing examples of where you’ve been unable to take on clients in complex family (non-domestic violence), domestic violence, immigration and housing cases.
Complete the survey

Download our campaign pack

Our campaign pack explains how members can raise concerns with government about the proposed criminal legal aid reforms. It gives an overview of the proposals, offers guidance on how to respond to the consultation and explains how to lobby your local MP directly.
Criminal legal aid proposals – campaign pack (PDF 180kb)
Respond to our consultation on alternatives to PCT – deadline: 10 May

Have your say on the proposals: free roadshows

Our free roadshows will give you an opportunity to hear about what we’re doing in response to the government’s proposals for price-competitive tendering (PCT). You can also have your say on the proposals and let us know how your business will be affected.
List of roadshows and booking details

Law Society concerns over EU criminal justice opt-out

The Law Society has endorsed the House of Lords Select Committee report, which raises serious concerns about the proposed EU criminal justice opt-out.
Read more about our concerns

Society strengthens US links

This week Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff led a delegation of UK law firms to Washington DC to strengthen commercial links between UK and American law firms.
More details on the delegation

Is your firm compliant? The Equality and Diversity Toolkit will help ensure that your firm complies with the obligations of the Equality Act and the SRA Handbook. This toolkit contains a mixture of draft policies, procedural checklists and other useful instruments. Learn more about this toolkit and order your copy today

The Legal Charities Garden Party

This year’s garden party takes place on Thursday 20 June from 18:00-21:00 in Lincoln’s Inn. It is a popular meeting place for judges, solicitors, barristers, barristers’ clerks and legal executives. The Law Society Gazette is the media sponsor.
Buy tickets online

Training and events

Going for growth: practical strategies – 3 CPD hours The half-day conference has been produced jointly by the Law Management Section and the Small Firms Division. It will help you to attract and retain clients, increase profitability and develop commercial channels to create a pipeline of new work. Book today – 5 June

Principal sponsor:

Annual Private Client Section conference – 6 CPD hours This conference will equip you with the latest thinking on private client work, with parallel workshops covering topics such as will drafting, court of protection, tax planning, contentious probate and international private client work. Book today – 5 July

In-house conference – 5 CPD hours This one-day event will bring together in-house lawyers from both the public sector and corporate counsel, to provide expert advice on best practice strategies and policies. The event will help you improve efficiency and reduce costs. Book today – 1 May

Compliance support: help I’m a COLP! This one-hour webinar will help COLPs ensure that the systems they have put in place are suitable for compliance and information requirements. It will clarify reporting obligations, internal reporting systems, and the role of file reviews and audits. Book today – 15 May

Making the most of your membership

	JLT Property Insurance in conjunction with the Law Society offers flexible unoccupied property insurance tailored specifically for solicitors. Find out more
	JLT Travel Insurance provides single or multi-trip cover for individuals, couples or families. Find out more

View all membership benefits