Compliance & Regulation
SRA: Sudden spike in number of law firms facing financial difficulties
There has been a sudden spike in the number of law firms of all sizes reporting to the Solicitors Regulation Authority that they are facing financial problems, it has emerged.
Unbundling has potential to improve access to justice – and clients
Unbundling has the potential to increase access to justice and help firms attract new clients, but awareness among lawyers and consumers is low, research by the SRA has found.
LawCare urges SRA to consider wellbeing of those facing disciplinary action
The SRA needs to have “far greater regard” for the wellbeing of those facing disciplinary action when deciding what to publish about them, LawCare has argued.
Barrister reprimanded for “offensive” tweets aimed at colleague
A barrister has been reprimanded for allowing a Twitter account with which he was associated to send “inappropriate and offensive” tweets to a colleague at the same chambers.
A fifth of female solicitors promoted after maternity leave
A fifth of female solicitors were promoted into a new role by their law firms during or after maternity leave, but a similar proportion “felt unwelcome” on their return, a major study has found.
SFO decides on retrial for Axiom defendant who split jury
A financial adviser alleged to have been part of the Axiom Legal Financing Fund fraud is to face a retrial after a jury last month failed to reach a verdict, the Serious Fraud Office has decided.
Law firm fined for failing to recognise conflict that arose in probate case
A law firm has been fined after failing to recognise that a conflict of interest had arisen in acting for both an estate and its personal representative after he made a claim on the estate.
Replacing SIF with compensation fund would be “unlawful”
It would be unlawful for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to replace the Solicitors Indemnity Fund with some form of compensation fund, a leading expert has argued.
Data Reform Bill: Better for business?
Four years since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was implemented, statistics from RSM have revealed that 30% of European businesses are still not compliant – so is it time for further fresh legislation?
EAT allows sacked law firm boss to continue challenging 2014 ruling
A former law firm director, now a barrister, trying to challenge an eight-year-old employment tribunal ruling that found her guilty of serious financial impropriety has overcome the first hurdle.
Blog
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
