Professional Update : 6 June 2013

Law Society responds to legal aid consultation

PCT proposals are unworkable

This week the Law Society has outlined why the government’s plans to introduce price-competitive tendering (PCT) for criminal legal aid are unworkable. Drawing on independent economic analysis we demonstrate that is not possible to deliver what the Ministry of Justice is demanding for the price and in the proposed timeframe.

Further erosion of civil legal aid

We have also set out our serious concerns about proposals that will further erode legal aid provision for civil and prison law matters, including a discriminatory residence test, restrictions on judicial reviews and a 20 per cent fee cut in child care cases.

Read our full consultation response and independent analysis
Read our press statement

Related event:
The Law Society is working hard to try to ensure that PCT does not go ahead. Find out what we are doing but also practical steps you can take to prepare for change at our seminar on 26 June.

New rules on permitted development

New rules are in force to allow larger property extensions to be made without planning applications and to enable change of use from office to residential. Changes have also been made to permitted development rights for commercial buildings.
Read more about the new rules

Become a judge

Judicial service is an opportunity to take your legal career in a new and challenging direction. Several new vacancies have been announced:

Society defends solicitors’ record in client service

The Law Society has invited the Co-operative Group’s sales and marketing manager to withdraw comments given to Marketing Week in which he suggests that solicitors fail to meet the needs of their clients. The comments were made in reference to a new marketing campaign for Co-op’s legal service offering.
Read more

Essay competition for junior lawyers

This year’s essay question is about the effects of social media on civil and criminal litigation. The winner will receive a prize of £500 and the runners-up will receive £250.
Full essay question and more details

The Legal Charities Garden Party

This year’s garden party takes place on Thursday 20 June from 18:00-21:00 in Lincoln’s Inn. It is a popular meeting place for judges, solicitors, barristers, barristers’ clerks and legal executives. The Law Society Gazette is the media sponsor.
Buy tickets online

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Financial challenges survey

What are the key financial challenges facing the legal sector? Do you think that bank loan arrangement fees charged to law firms are too high? Complete our short survey, which has been developed with our exclusive financial partner Syscap.
Take the survey

Law firm marketing toolkit

This new toolkit offers practical advice and user-friendly templates to make the services your firm offers more attractive to more clients, more often.

The toolkit is specifically designed for solicitors, not marketeers. You will find sample forms, checklists, example letters and policies for you to use right away.

Learn more about this book and order your copy today

Training and events

International marketplace conference – 5 CPD hours

This conference highlights the business opportunities that exist for all sizes of firm in the financing, contracting and completion of international projects in emerging markets. The conference examines the new markets and creates a platform for UK and international firms to forge collaborative business partnerships.
Book today – 9 July

Private Client Section annual conference – 6 CPD hours

This conference will equip you with the latest thinking on will drafting, court of protection, tax planning, contentious probate and international private client work. You will also explore business development opportunities and learn how to use social media effectively.
Book today – 5 July
Join the Private Client Section

Associate sponsor:

Judicial appointments: interview training – 5.5 CPD hours

This course will equip you with the skills to help enhance your application and interview performance for judicial appointments.
Book today – various dates

Pensions for executors: everything the private client practitioner needs to know – 1 CPD hour

This webinar explains commonly-faced pension issues and solutions, and looks at how to ensure the timely and tax-efficient transfer of pension funds.
Book today – 13 June

Making the most of your membership

	Members of the Law Society can enjoy exclusive rewards under the Etihad Guest Associated Member Programme. Find out more
	Law Society members enjoy 20% off full price items and 10% off sale and promotional items at Austin Reed. Find out more

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