PracticeEvolve are shortlisted for the British Conveyancing Awards 2023

  Date: 21.02.2023   PracticeEvolve are shortlisted for the British Conveyancing Awards 2023   PracticeEvolve have been shortlisted for Technology Enabler of the Year in The British Conveyancing Awards 2023. The awards taking place on 21 March highlight vendors, law firms, and industry professionals alike, all of whom present advancements and achievements within the legal industry, and in particular the conveyancing sector.   The shortlisting comes following a year of growth which has seen PracticeEvolve take responsibility for the future of law firms through a focus on Cloud, Competency, and Connectivity – ensuring users get more from their evolv...

DASLS President Pedals for Charity

      DASLS President, Paul Kelly has pledged to raise funds for Headway Devon & Headway Somerset by cycling coast to coast through Devon and Somerset.  His 53+ mile ride will take him through some of the beautiful countryside that our two counties have to offer and, given our local terrain, over some challenging hills as well.   Weather permitting (and depending on the wind direction) Paul will set off from Porlock on Saturday 28th May arriving in Dawlish later that day.   Paul is not a seasoned cyclist and will complete his challenge using a borrowed bike.  He will be supported by Stuart Bramley, a colleague at Tozers Solicitors, Exeter...

Two topical matters on the new SRA Accounts Rules 2019 by Partner PKF Francis Clark

The new SRA Standard and Regulations came into effect on 25 November 2019, replacing the previous SRA Handbook.   Within these latest regulations are the new set of SRA Accounts Rules 2019 which the legal sector is still getting to grips with some of the changes.   In this brief article we look at two of the most topical areas being raised by law firms and their COFAs.     Notification of disbursements   One of the leading questions raised has been regarding compliance with the new rule 4.3, which states that if a firm wishes to transfer money from the client bank account from funds held on account for a specific client to cover costs, the client...

Training that isn’t taxing: the Apprenticeship Levy opportunity by Sponsor Barclays

The Apprenticeship Levy: a new tax or an opportunity to find and nurture talent? For professional services firms, the consideration will be whether this is an operational burden or a chance to broaden their training programmes for future prosperity.   Since the Levy came into force in England in April 2017, all employers with a pay bill exceeding £3m a year (on all earnings that are liable to Class 1 NICs) must now invest 0.5% of that figure in apprenticeships. However, as a sweetener, the scheme comes with a £15,000 offset allowance every tax year, so some firms will effectively pay nothing and receive funding for training.   Use it or lose it   The...

CPD - Goodbye to a familiar regime by SPONSOR Aon

CPD - Goodbye to a familiar regime by SPONSOR Aon CPD - Goodbye to a familiar regime     The demise of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regime has been signposted for over two years but not everyone will be ready for what replaces it. Most solicitors currently practising have not known any other system of professional development. This leaves plenty for firms to reflect on before the new requirements become compulsory on 1 November 2016.   The current CPD regime has not changed dramatically since it was introduced by the Law Society in 1985 (the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) did not become the profession’s regulator until 2007,...

The Second Age of Compliance- Ethics Column by Tracey Calvert

Goodbye Handbook, hello SRA Standards and Regulations!   The SRA has finally set a launch date for the SRA Standards and Regulations. On 25 November 2019, the Standards and Regulations will replace the current SRA Handbook. We will be expected to hit the ground running, so time is of the essence in terms of preparing for what lies ahead.  In this article, I’d like to share with you some personal observations of the changes which are likely to have an impact on your work with some suggestions as to how to introduce them into your workplace.   In some ways, the new Standards and Regulations are introducing quite radical and/or revolutionary regulatory...