header-logo header-logo

Solicitors give thumbs up to unbundling

21 June 2023
Issue: 8030 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services , Procedure & practice
printer mail-detail
‘Unbundling’ could make solicitors affordable, Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) research has shown.

The SRA’s ‘Unbundled services pilot—final report’, published last week following a pilot among family law firms and wider survey, found most law firms had a positive attitude to ‘unbundling’. An ‘unbundled’ legal service is where one or more services are taken on by the client rather than the law firm completing the whole process.

Solicitors also raised concerns about insurance, negligence, the need for new technology and the possibility clients may miss deadlines.

Paul Philip, SRA chief executive, said: 'Unbundling won't work for everyone but raising awareness would help people to make good choices.’

Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: ‘Some practitioners have already started to deliver forms of unbundled services.

‘However, concerns remain around the risk of being found negligent for things the solicitor believed fell outside the retainer. This risk needs to be addressed.’

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
Law students and graduates can now apply to qualify as solicitors and barristers with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
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 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
back-to-top-scroll