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Complaints research
Only one in eight (13 per cent) of customers dissatisfied with the legal service they receive goes on to make a formal complaint, the Office of Fair Trading has reported.
The research was commissioned to see how the Legal Services Act 2007 has impacted on consumers. The low level of complaints was found to be largely due to uncertainty about how or where to complain and scepticism about whether complaining is worth the effort. The OFT said that the Legal Ombudsman system should be more actively promoted by all in the sector. The speed of authorising alternative business structures was also found to be slow and the OFT urged regulators to speed up the process.
First year of ABS licensing
In its first year of authorising and regulating alternative business structures (ABS), the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has granted 74 licences, with a further 19 close to completion. The SRA, approved as an ABS licensing authority by the Legal Services Board in December 2011, started accepting applications on 3 January 2012. Since then, 387 firms have started the application process, and 117 firms have completed the submission of all necessary information.
Court of Claims exhibition
An exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the last meeting of the Court of Claims, an ancient court set up to hear petitions from those who believe they have the right to perform a particular honorific service for a new monarch on their coronation day, has opened. It will run in the café area of the Supreme Court on Parliament Square until the spring.
LETR report delayed
Publication of the Legal Education and Training Review report has been delayed, “given the weight of evidence and consideration of the importance and complexity of the review”. The most substantial review of legal education and training since the Ormrod Report in 1971, the review began in June 2011 and was due to report in December last year.
The research was commissioned to see how the Legal Services Act 2007 has impacted on consumers. The low level of complaints was found to be largely due to uncertainty about how or where to complain and scepticism about whether complaining is worth the effort. The OFT said that the Legal Ombudsman system should be more actively promoted by all in the sector. The speed of authorising alternative business structures was also found to be slow and the OFT urged regulators to speed up the process.
First year of ABS licensing
In its first year of authorising and regulating alternative business structures (ABS), the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has granted 74 licences, with a further 19 close to completion. The SRA, approved as an ABS licensing authority by the Legal Services Board in December 2011, started accepting applications on 3 January 2012. Since then, 387 firms have started the application process, and 117 firms have completed the submission of all necessary information.
Court of Claims exhibition
An exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the last meeting of the Court of Claims, an ancient court set up to hear petitions from those who believe they have the right to perform a particular honorific service for a new monarch on their coronation day, has opened. It will run in the café area of the Supreme Court on Parliament Square until the spring.
LETR report delayed
Publication of the Legal Education and Training Review report has been delayed, “given the weight of evidence and consideration of the importance and complexity of the review”. The most substantial review of legal education and training since the Ormrod Report in 1971, the review began in June 2011 and was due to report in December last year.
Complaints research
Only one in eight (13 per cent) of customers dissatisfied with the legal service they receive goes on to make a formal complaint, the Office of Fair Trading has reported.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
