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04 June 2010 / Ian Jones
Issue: 7420 / Categories: Features , Regulatory , Commercial
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Another country?

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Is this the beginning of the end of law as we know it? asks Ian Jones

While the politicians are heralding in a new era in politics; indeed a new politics, novelty is also affecting the legal world. Little attention has been paid to the seismic events of 1 January 2010. While some were nursing hangovers, a group of Scottish accountants became able to license their members to carry out probate legal services in England and Wales.
For all the talk of alternative business structures and legal disciplinary practices, this is an immediate impact of the Legal Services Act 2007. It is the first example of the new regime taking hold. Every member of the legal profession should sit up and take notice of it, particularly those in the high street.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (along with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) became the 9th and 10th approved regulator’s within the meaning of s 20 of the Act. They are the first approved regulators to be appointed under Sch 4,

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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