Compliance & Regulation
Law Society backs “moderate” increase in SRA fining powers
The Law Society has backed a “moderate” increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining powers to between £5,000 to £7,500, rather than its proposed £25,000.
Non-lawyer owner banned from ABSs over secret profit ruling
A non-lawyer owner of a law firm that has been hugely successful in running PPI claims has been banned from working for ABSs after he made secret profits from it.
LeO delays publishing decisions until it achieves “operational stability”
The Legal Ombudsman will publish its decisions in full, but not until “operational stability” has been achieved, it has emerged.
“Overworked” barrister partner disbarred over Trump case dishonesty
A “high-flying” barrister partner at a City law firm who fabricated a court order was unable to cope with her workload but this did not excuse her misconduct, a Bar tribunal has found.
Male barrister reprimanded for “hysterical woman” jibe at lawyer
A male barrister has been reprimanded for describing his opponent’s instructing lawyer as a “hysterical woman” and female lawyers more generally as intemperate.
SRA warns law firms over “wholly unreasonable workloads”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned law firms that imposing “wholly unreasonable workloads or targets” on staff could result in disciplinary action.
Bar chief: LSB competence push “risks infringing Legal Services Act”
The chair of the Bar Council has warned the Legal Services Board that it risks infringing the Legal Services Act if it demands that regulators impose new competence regimes without sufficient evidence.
Law students concerned by “low” SQE pass rate
The pass rate of 53% achieved by the first group of candidates to sit part one of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam is viewed as “low” by students, an SQE training provider has said.
Solicitor who used disbursement cash to prop up PI firm struck off
A solicitor who did not pay outstanding disbursements for seven years, using them instead to prop up his personal injury firm, has been struck off.
Pandemic hit lowest-earning barristers hardest as big pay gaps persist
The pandemic has had more of an impact on incomes at the lower-earning end of the Bar than among the big billers, according to new research by the Bar Standards Board.
Blog
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
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.
