Features and Opinion – Page 4
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Feature
Ethical imperative
Paul Bennett looks at the ethical aspects of how law firms should manage misconduct, and why the 2019 regulatory changes will mean firms need to manage ethical risk in a new way
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FeatureA smaller piece of PII
Lucy Trevelyan looks at the professional indemnity insurance landscape for the years ahead. How can firms take advantage of a soft market and prepare for it hardening? What might proposed changes to minimum cover mean for the profession and clients?
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FeatureThe proposed PII reforms – who benefits?
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) wants to reduce the minimum levels of insurance cover that regulated firms must hold. The Law Society will be submitting our analysis of the proposals. But one of the questions we are left with is: who will benefit from these reforms?
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FeatureJust the job
The GDPR is just four months away. Firms may already be prepared for major changes to how they handle client data, but do you know it also applies to data on your people? Andrew Kimble and Dan Fawcett provide a guide for managing partners and HR professionals
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Cracking the codes
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to introduce a new compliance regime, and the changes are the most significant since 2011. Paul Bennett outlines the proposals and their potential impact, to help you plan ahead
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FeatureGift register
A risk register may seem like just another regulatory requirement, but an effective one can help you not only identify and mitigate risks, but also reduce your insurance premiums, build client loyalty, and reduce complaints. Pearl Moses explains.
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FeaturePlaying catch up
The new money laundering regulations have been in force for over three months, but is your firm compliant? Alison Matthews provides an overview of the requirements for law firms.
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FeatureCourse of action
The continuing competence regime, replacing the old CPD requirement, came into force nearly a year ago. Anna Gregory explains how her firm has embraced the new approach to introduce an experiential learning culture, including action learning.
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FeatureIn the balance
The legal press is full of stories about the risks of the new General Data Protection Regulation, but might there be an upside to compliance? Ann Harrison looks at the potential benefits – as well as the burdens and risks.
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Feature
Order order
Having the SRA arriving at your firm with a production order requiring you and your firm to deliver documents to it is a daunting experience. Paul Bennett outlines how to get your firm ready for investigation in case it should happen
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FeatureUnder control?
Do you know that your law firm is a data controller under the new General Data Protection Regulation, and you must comply with them, or face fines of up to €20m or four per cent of your annual global turnover? Owen O’Rorke provides a beginner’s guide to compliance
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Feature
A tall order
Being served with a production order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 can be a frightening experience. Paul Bennett explains how your firm can get prepared, and respond effectively and lawfully if you’re served
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FeatureAll above board
The SRA Code of Conduct obliges law firms to ensure their fees are transparent to their clients. Firms must not be seen to generate secret profits. Jason Mitchell looks at how to maintain compliance
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Feature
Helping handbook?
In June, the Solicitors Regulation Authority launched a consultation on proposed changes to the SRA Handbook. But are the changes the right ones? And how could they affect firms and their leaders? Paul Bennett, Melanie O’Brien, Matt Howgate and Sarah Charlton consider
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FeatureThe final countdown
The changes to continuing professional development will be mandatory from 1 November 2016. Nicola Jones and Jane Green-Armytage look at how firms are responding, and the pros and cons of adapting the old regime versus embracing a competency-based approach
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FeatureA gentle nudge
Why don’t most compliance programmes work in practice? Because the traditional theory on which they are based doesn’t take into account how people really behave. Barry Vitou looks at what we can learn from a more recent approach: nudge theory
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FeatureMuch obliged
Outcomes-focused regulation was intended to offer firms greater flexibility, but many now cite compliance obligations as a significant burden. Leading commentators and practitioners talk to Lucy Trevelyan about trends in regulation, and offer their top tips for effective compliance.
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FeatureReform of financial management regulation
Crispin Passmore explains how the SRA intends to reform how it regulates financial management in response to changes in consumer and market behaviours
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FeatureIs it a breach or isn’t it?
Jo Morris discusses the difficulties faced by compliance officers and provides a taster of her session at the LMS finance and business conference on 17 November
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FeatureTips for effective file management and minimising risk exposure
Mark Carver provides his top tips for managing client files and minimising risk exposure