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Grasping the nettle

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

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The dangers of uncritical artificial intelligence (AI) use in legal practice are no longer hypothetical. In this week's NLJ, Dr Charanjit Singh of Holborn Chambers examines cases where lawyers relied on ‘hallucinated’ citations — entirely fictitious authorities generated by AI tools
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
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