The solicitors’ handbook could be slashed from 600 pages to around 50 under plans announced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The new rules will set “a collection of values and behaviours that solicitors should adhere to,” according to SRA…read more
Court of Appeal overturns solicitors’ PI aggregation decision
The Court of Appeal has overturned the High Court’s definition of the ‘aggregation clause’ in solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance policies. The decision could allow insurer AIG to aggregate a series of over 200 property liability claims into a single claim…read more
Understanding advice
Solicitors must make sure that their client has received and understood their advice to protect themselves against claims of negligence. In a recent case a firm was able to defend itself against claims that it had failed to provide adequate…read more
Principle-based rules proposed by solicitors’ regulator
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is planning to consult on proposals to move away from the prescriptive rules in the SRA handbook in favour of principle-based regulation. The SRA believes a new approach to regulation will do “more to allow…read more
Drafting error costs law firm £2 million
A mistake in drafting a contract has cost a leading London law firm nearly £2 million. The initial damages awarded to a top banking head-hunter were increased by £375,000 after a Court of Appeal hearing. The case highlights the importance…read more
A Question of Trust
How easily is that trust in a solicitor lost? And what should happen when professionals fall short of the standards set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)? The regulator wants to find out and has launched ‘A question of trust’…read more
Plans revived to change solicitors PII rules
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has consulted on measures to reduce the cost of professional indemnity insurance (PII) for solicitors. It will use the findings to draw up proposals to reform client financial protection arrangements early next year. Ideas put…read more
Bird & Bird hit with £1.8m property conveyancing damages
International law firm Bird & Bird has paid £1.8 m in damages after it failed to tell a client that a large school was to be built near the house it was buying. Orientfield appointed Bird & Bird to handle…read more
Court defines solicitors PII ‘aggregation clause’
The High Court has defined the meaning of the ‘aggregation clause’ in solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance for the first time. The ruling prevented insurer AIG from aggregating a series of more than 200 property liability claims into a single claim…read more
Legal Ombudsman set demanding performance targets
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has set demanding, legally binding, performance targets for the Office for Legal Complaints (Legal Ombudsman) for the current year. The LSB is concerned that the Ombudsman’s performance may slip as it makes ‘significant internal and…read more
