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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

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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