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25 January 2007 / Desmond Hudson , Desmond Hudson
Issue: 7257 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Grasping the nettle

Des Hudson explains why firms need to meet the challenge of modern client expectations head on

It is always difficult to spot seminal points of change when embroiled in them, and generally it’s best to avoid forecasts. That said, 2007 is likely to prove to be one of the most important years in recent history for our profession and for the Law Society—primarily because the Legal Services Bill will complete its passage through Parliament.

By the end of this month the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) will have been launched. This is an important step on the road to modernising the profession. The SRA will deal with all regulatory and disciplinary matters, and set, monitor and enforce standards for solicitors. Formerly known as the Law Society Regulation Board, it acts solely in the public interest. The LCS is for members of the public wishing to make a complaint about solicitors. This independent and impartial body will work with solicitors to resolve any issues quickly and efficiently, before the

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gateley Legal—Caroline Pope & Bob Maynard

Gateley Legal—Caroline Pope & Bob Maynard

Construction team bolstered by hire of senior consultant duo

Switalskis—four appointments

Switalskis—four appointments

Firm expands residential conveyancing team with quadruple appointment

mfg Solicitors—Claire Pope

mfg Solicitors—Claire Pope

Private client team welcomes senior associatein Worcester

NEWS
What safeguards apply when trust corporations are appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection? 
Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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