Compliance & Regulation
Labour urges immediate rights extension for associate prosecutors
The Labour Party has called for the role of associate prosecutors to be expanded so as to help reduce the massive backlog in criminal cases awaiting hearings.
In-house lawyers “should add regulatory rules to employment contracts”
In-house lawyers’ regulatory responsibilities, for example the SRA principles, should be written into their employment contracts to ensure their independence, the former head of LawtechUK has argued.
The OIC effect? Number and value of motor fraud claims fall
The volume and value of motor insurance claim frauds fell last year, which also covered the first seven months of the Official Injury Claim portal.
First solicitors who passed SQE set to qualify after strong results
The first solicitors to qualify via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination will enter practice next month after 77% of candidates passed the second set of assessments.
Home secretary: Jail lawyers enabling kleptocrats
The home secretary has made clear that she wants to see lawyers and other ‘enablers’ of kleptocrats jailed for their involvement with “dirty money”.
Sceptical crime lawyers lambast Raab’s plan to “extend” higher rights
Lawyers have reacted with scepticism at the suggestion that Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab wants to “extend” higher rights of audience to more criminal defence solicitors.
“Little evidence” of discrimination or harassment on Bar courses
There is little evidence of bullying, discrimination and harassment on Bar training courses, students have reported as part of research into equality and diversity at the vocational stage of training.
SRA set to curb litigators’ use of ‘private and confidential’ letters
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to issue guidance on when litigators are allowed to label letters as ‘private and confidential’ and/or ‘without prejudice’.
Panel warns on impact of “seismic” change to complaint time-limits
The “seismic shift” in time limits to complain to the Legal Ombudsman will require close monitoring to ensure that consumers do not lose out.
Californian legislators bid to crush any ambitions to allow ABSs
Californian legislators have blocked efforts by the State Bar to consider non-lawyer ownership of law firms, in the latest battle over alternative business structures in the US.
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.
