Compliance & Regulation
High Court rejects challenge to foreign in-house lawyers’ privilege
Legal advice privilege extends to communications with foreign lawyers working in-house even if they are not recognised or regulated as “professional lawyers”, the High Court has ruled.
Solicitor used jailed client’s money to prop up firm
A criminal law solicitor who used money from a jailed client for an appeal to stabilise his firm’s “precarious financial position” has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
“Caring” solicitor undone by accounting system
A “passionate, caring and in many respects competent” solicitor, whose firm got into a financial mess in part because of the accounting software she used, has escaped removal from practice.
CMA unveils progress review of competition in legal market
The Competition and Markets Authority today announced a three-month review of the progress made in improving competition in the legal services sector for consumers and small businesses.
SRA fines leading firm for money laundering check failures
Well-known law firm Taylor Vinters has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for failing to undertake proper money laundering checks on millions of pounds paid into its client account.
Solicitor launches unregulated nanotech firm
A solicitor has launched what he believes is the first legal consultancy in the UK devoted entirely to nanotech firms, the latest to use the rules that allow solicitors to practise from unregulated firms.
“Extremely drunk” senior partner touched and kissed paralegal
The “extremely drunk” senior partner of a London law firm has been fined £10,000 for touching a paralegal on the bottom and kissing her on the neck while sitting next to her in a bar.
Gary Senior case: “An extraordinary abuse of position,” says SDT
The former managing partner of Baker McKenzie’s London office committed “an extraordinary abuse of position” by sexually harassing a junior fee-earner in his hotel room, the SDT has ruled.
Climate protest lawyers block Chancery Lane
Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion blocked Chancery Lane outside the Law Society on Friday to highlight concerns about the potential impact on lawyers’ careers of being arrested for peaceful protests.
LeO presses ahead with plan to publish decisions in full
The Legal Ombudsman is to press ahead with plans to publish its full decisions, as well as annual reviews of the most complained-about lawyers and firms, it has decided.
Blog
Is your Google Ads budget funding your competitors’ AI visibility?
If your cost-per-click has crept up again this year, you’ve probably assumed the market simply got more expensive. That’s the wrong way to read what’s happening.
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
