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21 June 2023
Issue: 8030 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services , Procedure & practice
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Solicitors give thumbs up to unbundling

‘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

Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris

Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris

Sheffield expansion continues with appointment of commercial property partner

Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan

Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan

Browne Jacobson strengthens banking and finance practice with latest partner appointment Paul Duggan

Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott

Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott

Employment partner joins Ward Hadaway

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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