The Dutch Government has introduced the Quality of Collection Services Act to address abuses in the debt collection sector. This act will impact lawyers involved in extrajudicial collection activities

The Quality of Collection Services Act, effective April 1, extends beyond debt collection agencies to encompass lawyers engaged in extrajudicial collection activities. It aims to enhance the quality of such services and address abuses in the sector, in line with coalition agreements. The Act applies specifically to extrajudicial collection activities performed or offered by professionals…

One of the key challenges for the legal profession when considering AI is its tendency to produce inaccurate information

On 7 March, the ABA Judicial Division, in collaboration with Thomson Reuters, organised a webinar to address the challenges encountered by lawyers when using generative artificial intelligence software, such as ChatGPT, and in particular its tendency to produce inaccurate information, a phenomenon referred to as “hallucination.” The webinar covered various approaches to this problem. One…

The Dutch Government has moved to strengthen access to legal advice in criminal cases

The Dutch Government aims to enhance access to free legal assistance in criminal cases by introducing new regulations, requiring suspects to receive information from a lawyer about consequences before waiving their right to consultation assistance, a move supported by the Netherlands Bar Association (NOvA). This legislation addresses concerns where suspects could previously waive legal assistance…

The Legal Services Board of England and Wales have made available recordings and resources from their recent Reshaping Legal Services Conference

On 7 March 2024, the Legal Services Board and Legal Consumer Panel organised its second annual Reshaping Legal Services Conference. The conference followed a wide range of topics, for a full programme run down follow the link here. The Legal Services Board has made available recordings of speeches and presentations as well as other resources to…

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has initiated a consultation on its potential regulation of certain types of paralegals

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has initiated a consultation regarding proposed rule changes to enable the regulation of non-authorized members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). This follows CILEX’s proposal to re-delegate regulation to the SRA. While a previous consultation addressed regulation of authorized CILEX members, this new consultation focuses specifically on non-authorized…

The Chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee has presented eight key recommendations following their examination of the regulation of the legal professions in England and Wales

Sir Bob Neill KC, Chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee of the UK Parliament, has written to UK Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC, presenting eight key recommendations following the Committee’s examination of the regulation of the legal professions in England and Wales, highlighting the need for a review of the Legal Services Board…

The Legal Services Board of England and Wales has published its business plan for 24/25

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its 24/25 business plan. This plan has three strategic themes, fairer outcomes, stronger confidence and better services and is underpinned by the 9 regulatory objectives of the 2007 Legal Services Act. The plan sets out the key areas and activities the LSB will focus on for the duration…

The Federation of Law Societies Canada is seeking feedback on draft amendments to its model code of conduct

The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is seeking feedback on draft amendments to its model code of conduct. The proposed changes seek to implement the call from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for all lawyers in Canada to be provided with appropriate cultural competency training, covering topics such as residential schools, Indigenous rights, and…

Brought to you by ICLR.