An article in the Law Society Gazette today by John Hyde "SRA Ponders Policing of Referral Fee Ban" http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/sra-ponders-policing-referral-fee-ban confirms to me that the SRA have been landed with the role of an unwilling police force to deal with the ban which is to come into effect in just over 7 months.
According to Hyde, the Authority "will set out within weeks how it intends to police the forthcoming ban on referral fees." 'Within weeks' - really? Sorry, for some reason 'My SRA' keeps coming to mind. What a wonderfully thought out and executed concept that was. Perhaps first the SRA will have to have a consultation period of 3 months to consider what is meant by a 'few weeks'. Then after that it might come to the conclusion that 'a few weeks' actually means about 12 months - and even then give or take another 12 months either way - well not either way - just one way. So make that 2 years. Perhaps then we should add in some fancy online software to help with the policing. Add 12 months for that to be implemented and then - oops - it's crashed.
After that, according to the article, the Authority will 'draw up a formal policy position in advance of a 12 week consultation starting this autumn.' '12 weeks'? Don't even let me start going there. Perhaps the idea is to just send us all mad. I can see it now - the ambulances collecting us all to be dragged off screaming and shouting to the 'Home for Bewildered Claimant Solicitors and CMC Proprietors' (with segregated wards to ensure that no referral fees can be passed on in the exercise yard).
I jest merely - well partly.
The SRA has been given the legal equivalent of a 'hospital pass' in rugby or football. The only alternative was for the 'Ministry of Silly Claims' to become involved and of course the government just wants to lay down the law, in a fashion. It doesn't want to have the job of enforcing it's hotchpot of legislation - and who can blame it?
Anyway once this has all been smoothly implemented - whatever is being implemented, we then only have to wait on the announcement on the Small Claims Track Limit for Personal Injury, the slashing of portal fees, etc, etc. Not to worry - we've got all of 7 and a bit months for this to get sorted.
Anyway at the end of the tunnel there is light - that pot of gold called the "ABS." Why some 15 have been authorised, don't you know - or is it 20? I really don't know. To be honest I've lost the will. Apparently there is now something called the "ABS rush." Now that does sound interesting. Is it a form of legal high? Better be on the safe side. "Pass the port Miss Moneypenny - and make mine a double."
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