Compliance & Regulation
Reports to BSB about barrister conduct jump by 24%
There has been a 24% spike in reports about barristers to their regulator this year, according to new figures from the Bar Standards Board.
LSB sets out new approach to improving equality and diversity
Safeguarding the wellbeing of those facing enforcement action should be part of legal regulators’ duty to support equality and diversity, the Legal Services Board said yesterday.
Consolidation laid bare as number of law firms falls below 9,000
The number of law firms in England and Wales has dipped below 9,000 for the first time in recent memory after dropping by nearly 2,000 over the past 15 years.
Law Society calls for urgent SRA advice on impact of Mazur on AI
The SRA needs to provide urgent advice on how artificial intelligence can be used in litigation in compliance with the Mazur ruling, the Law Society has said.
Court of Appeal agrees to hear “important” Mazur appeal
The Court of Appeal has granted CILEX permission to appeal against the Mazur judgment, saying it “raises an important point of practice”.
LSCP: “Regulatory failure” behind Mazur demands systemic review
The “chaos” caused by the Mazur ruling demands “a courageous, full-scale review of the regulatory framework” in response, the chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel has argued.
Solicitor struck off 16 years ago fails in bid to return to roll
A solicitor struck off 16 years ago for multiple breaches of the accounts rules, several of them dishonest, has failed in his bid to return to the roll.
Tribunal rejects solicitor’s bid to overturn rebuke
A solicitor has failed in his appeal against a rebuke imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for failing to comply with court costs orders.
More clarity needed on source of funds checks, says SRA
Law firms need greater clarity on when and how source of funds and wealth checks should be carried out, a review by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has found.
CLC launches accelerated ‘experience’ route to qualification
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has launched an accelerated route to qualification for fee-earners who have been working for at least four years in conveyancing or probate.
Blog
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
Expectations keep rising, so prioritise client experience
Law firms are facing growing pressure to place greater focus on client experience or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive legal market.
