Compliance & Regulation
Funder fails in claim to recover losses from firm’s indemnity insurer
The funder of a law firm that went bust owing it £1.6m has failed in an attempt to recover the money from the practice’s professional indemnity insurer.
Leading firm acted for client without obtaining authority
A well-known law firm acted for a client without receiving signed authority from him, having relied on his aunt to provide identification documents, it has emerged.
“Real challenges” for large law firms in improving diversity, says SRA
The biennial snapshot of the solicitors’ profession shows the “real challenges” for large firms in making progress towards diversity, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said.
Tribunal rejects return to roll for ex-solicitor 30 years after leaving
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has rejected an application for restoration to the roll from an ex-solicitor who it had sanctioned three times and had been convicted of fraud.
Ex-regulator predicts big firm listing and urges fast lawtech approvals
A top-10 law firm will float on the stock market in the next couple of years, a senior former legal regulator has predicted. He also argued for rapid regulatory authorisation for lawtech start-ups.
Mishcon puts listing on ice as tribunal explains firm’s £25,000 fine
Mishcon de Reya was in the news last week as its planned stock market listing was delayed and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal published the reasons for fining the London firm £25,000.
Number of pupil barristers rebounds after Covid-related slump
The number of pupil barristers has rebounded after the pandemic sent it crashing, while women increasingly dominate the junior end of the Bar, new figures have shown.
US should “prod” UK into action over oligarch enablers like lawyers
The US and its allies should take “significant steps to crack down on the Western enablers of Russian kleptocracy” such as law firms, an influential American think tank has argued.
BSB considers regulating intermediaries after Absolute Barrister collapse
The Bar Standards Board is considering whether intermediaries to direct access barristers should come within its regulatory control following the demise of Absolute Barrister.
Immigration solicitor certified LPA without checking client’s capacity
An immigration solicitor certified a lasting power of attorney for a walk-in client without checking his capacity, allowing the man’s son and attorney to misuse some of his money.
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.
