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04 June 2010 / Ian Jones
Issue: 7420 / Categories: Features , Regulatory , Commercial
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Another country?

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Is this the beginning of the end of law as we know it? asks Ian Jones

While the politicians are heralding in a new era in politics; indeed a new politics, novelty is also affecting the legal world. Little attention has been paid to the seismic events of 1 January 2010. While some were nursing hangovers, a group of Scottish accountants became able to license their members to carry out probate legal services in England and Wales.
For all the talk of alternative business structures and legal disciplinary practices, this is an immediate impact of the Legal Services Act 2007. It is the first example of the new regime taking hold. Every member of the legal profession should sit up and take notice of it, particularly those in the high street.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (along with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) became the 9th and 10th approved regulator’s within the meaning of s 20 of the Act. They are the first approved regulators to be appointed under Sch 4,

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