Be Aware When Adding Clients On Social Networking Sites Warns Law Society

Solicitors should be cautious about adding a client on sites such as Facebook warns the Law Society.

The social networking site is widely recognised as a site for personal rather than business use and there is a risk of merging professional and personal lives, which could result in a breach of client confidentiality more ...

Nationwide Leaves Door Ajar Over “dormancy” Panel Cut

The Law Society says that Nationwide Building Society’s decision to use dormancy as a reason to remove law firms from its mortgage panel is a “blunt instrument” but acknowledged that the building society had left the opportunity open for firms to reclaim a panel spot.  read on ...

Law Society And SRA Join Forces In Indemnity Insurance Intervention

The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have been granted leave to intervene by the High Court in their respective roles as representative body and regulator in a case that could have a major impact on professional indemnity insurance (PII) for law firms solicitors.  continues...

Law Society Chief Calls For Full Investigation Into Motor Insurance Industry Practices

The Law Society’s chief executive Desmond Hudson has said that the insurance industry is increasing motor insurance premiums and has called for a full investigation into insurers’ practices.

The call comes after MPs raised concerns over the rise in whiplash claims.  read on ...

CQS Is Prerequisite For New HSBC Panel, But Concern Is Raised Over Consumer Choice

HSBC has made the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) a pre-requisite for law firms on its new lender panel announced this week, a move welcomed by the Society, which is the representative body for all solicitors in England and Wales. But the Society has raised concerns over the bank’s decision to only include 42 firms on their panel for the whole of the UK.  more ...

Lords Revolt Raises Legal Aid Concessions Hopes

From the Law Society Gazette

Hopes are emerging that the government will amend at least some of its legal aid reforms after peers voiced overwhelming criticism at the bill’s second reading. The Daily Mirror reported last week that justice secretary Kenneth Clarke has ditched the proposal to remove legal aid for clinical negligence claims.  read on