Compliance & Regulation
Unbundling “empowers client” and optimises solicitors’ billing
Clients using unbundled legal services feel empowered by having control of their own case, while it is the best way for solicitors to bill every minute of their time, a pioneering family lawyer says.
“Great deal of work” still needed on barrister apprenticeships
There is still a “great deal of work” to be done to ensure that barrister apprenticeships are ready for launch, the Bar Standards Board has warned, even though it is set to move closer today.
Solicitors told to brace for “radical” rise in compensation fund costs
Solicitors were yesterday warned to brace for a “radical” increase in their contributions to the SRA Compensation Fund following the interventions into Axiom Ince, Metamorph and Kingly.
Law firms warned over lack of AML risk assessments
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned law firms that they must carry out client/matter risk assessments or risk being subject to a new system of fixed penalties.
Bar Council: “Hard to fathom” LSB’s criticism of cab-rank rule
The Bar Council has hit back at Legal Services Board comments on the cab-rank rule, saying that it is “hard to fathom” why it would be against a rule that supports consumer choice.
LSB: Lawyers’ misconduct justifies further action on NDAs
Examples of lawyers’ misconduct when dealing with non-disclosure agreements are a “cause for concern” and justify further regulatory action, the Legal Services Board said this week.
“Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid cab-rank rule
It seems “relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule and its importance to access to justice may be overstated, the Legal Services Board has said.
SRA: “Significant minority” of firms still falling short on AML
Nearly 30% of firms probed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for their adherence to anti-money laundering rules in the last year were non-compliant, new figures have shown.
SDT rejects employment tribunal finding of solicitor’s discrimination
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has cleared a leading solicitor of pregnancy discrimination against a paralegal despite an employment tribunal finding him guilty of it.
“No evidence” that barristers need new AML regime
There is “absolutely no evidence” that barristers and other advocates need a new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime, their UK representative bodies have argued.
Blog
Small steps, big impact: how SME law firms are making legal tech work
For SME law firms, the priority is turning the potential of tech into measurable impact: success is driven not just by the technology, but by how firms approach planning and implementation.
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
Client accounts: Opportunity, obligation and the risks in between
The profitability gap between well-run firms and the rest is not primarily a function of size, location or practice area – it is a function of financial management.
