Family
Family lawyer who took advantage of abuse victims is struck off
A family law solicitor who lied to and took advantage of vulnerable clients, including victims of domestic violence, has been struck off and ordered to pay almost £75,000 in costs.
Make sure junior counsel get time on their feet, judges told
The heads of the judiciary have told judges and instructing solicitors to give junior counsel who are being led every chance to address the court as well.
Unbundling “empowers client” and optimises solicitors’ billing
Clients using unbundled legal services feel empowered by having control of their own case, while it is the best way for solicitors to bill every minute of their time, a pioneering family lawyer says.
Online probate process “taking longer than paper”
Private client lawyers believe the new online probate process is taking longer than the old paper-based system, with family solicitors and civil litigators also unhappy with digital processes.
Judge rules public access barristers’ payment terms unfair
Two public access barristers have failed in their bid to be paid nearly £125,000 in fees after the High Court found the terms of their retainer unfair.
Law firm data breach “highlights risks to domestic violence victims”
A family law firm that disclosed personal data about a woman and children to her rapist ex-partner has been highlighted in a warning over how data breaches are putting domestic abuse victims’ lives at risk.
CA allows funder to challenge financial remedy consent order
A litigation funder owed up to £1m by the wife in a “bitter and extortionately expensive” divorce battle can remain a party to financial remedy proceedings, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Court of Appeal sets aside circuit judge’s “plainly irregular” ruling
The Court of Appeal has set aside a circuit judge’s ruling in care proceedings after describing his decision as “plainly irregular” given the lack of detailed analysis.
Partner rebuked for backdating documents used in divorce case
A solicitor who followed a client’s instructions to backdate a loan agreement and then did not disclose it as part of divorce proceedings has been rebuked for her “error of judgment”.
Niche cohabitation law firm aims to fill “gap in market”
A law firm has been launched in Bristol specialising solely in advising cohabiting couples on their relationships and on contentious probate, claiming to be the first of its kind.
Blog
Mazur: a symptom not a cause?
If Mazur is a symptom, what does it mean for the underlying health of our civil justice system: the ‘finest legal system in the world’?
Cross-generation collaboration: the key to in-house legal tech adoption
In-house legal function leaders will increasingly have to evolve their thinking on how to manage multigenerational teams containing differing levels of technological expertise.
AI and law firm risk – the view of professional indemnity insurers
In considering law firm applications for cover, many insurers will expect to see evidence of how firms are adapting to AI and preparing for the future.
