Monday 15 April 2013

A fleet management service company from Yorkshire has received approval to become an alternative business structure. FMG is launching a legal service with Cardiff personal injury firm NewLaw, which last week agreed a joint venture with insurer Ageas UK.

So far some 130 ABS applications have been approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Thomas Eggar merges with Pritchard Englefield

South-east firm Thomas Eggar has announced a merger with London firm Pritchard Englefield to create an organisation with a combined headcount of 493. Thomas Eggar, which had a turnover of £34.6m in 2012, said it sought out commercial firm Pritchard Englefield to strengthen its presence in the capital.

Keeping of the roll

The SRA will run its annual keeping of the roll exercise from 16 April to 18 June. All solicitors without a practising certificate who wish to remain on the roll will need to complete an online application.

Second-chance ceremony

A special admissions ceremony is to be held by the Law Society for members of the profession who were admitted before 2009 and were unable to celebrate their success at the time with friends and family. This unique event is scheduled for 12 July at Chancery Lane. Participants will be presented to the president or a senior office holder.

Registration and details of costs, including gown hire, two guest passes and drinks reception at events at lawsociety.org.uk.

Family court applications hit new high

The number of family court applications following parental separation reached a record high ahead of the legal aid cuts introduced on 1 April. Cafcass received 45,881 new private law cases between April 2012 and March 2013, a 10% increase on 2011/12.

Medical Defence recruits

The Medical Defence Union, which represents 200,000 doctors and dentists in clinical negligence claims, has recruited five extra solicitors and a paralegal. The in-house team has been increased to deal with rising numbers of claims and complaints to regulators, which the union says are now running at an all-time high.

Scottish court closures

The Law Society of Scotland has warned that plans to close 10 of the country's 49 sheriff courts threaten access to justice.

The decision of the Scottish Court Service is part of a plan to cut its budget by 20% by 2015.

Executives eligible for JAC posts

Chartered legal executives are now eligible to apply for the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) posts reserved for members of the legal profession, the justice secretary has confirmed.

Secondary legislation would be used to amend existing legislation regarding the size and composition of the JAC, and will recognise fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives alongside members of the Law Society and bar.