Latest news
Hudson to leave Law Society
Law Society chief executive Des Hudson has today announced that he will retire from his role in July, after the society’s annual general meeting. He has been under growing pressure since the vote of no-confidence in him in December.
Diversity: Neuberger backs career judges and urges culture change at City firms
The president of the Supreme Court, Lord Neuberger, has thrown his weight behind career judges as a way of improving diversity in the judiciary. He also bemoaned companies that choose to instruct “obsessive, testosterone-driven men rather than balanced, sensible women”.
Flawed SRA investigation leads tribunal to strike out case
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has taken the unusual step of striking out a case against two solicitors in the middle of the hearing, after the integrity of the investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority was thrown into question.
BSB bids to put disciplinary appointments nightmare behind it with revamped regime
Three-quarters of the recommendations made by the 2012 Browne report into the disciplinary regime for barristers – sparked by irregularities over appointments to the disciplinary panels – have so far been implemented, according to a Bar Standards Board report.
Disproportionate representation of BME solicitors in SRA’s work “not caused by racism”
The disproportionately high representation of black and minority ethnic solicitors in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s disciplinary work is caused by broader socio-economic factors around access to the profession, and not discrimination by the regulator, a major independent report has concluded.
New SRA chief executive promises fundamental review of regulation
There needs to be a fundamental review of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s model of regulation, its new chief executive has told this website in his first interview since joining the organisation six weeks ago.
Withers ordered to pay out £1.6m over negligence claim
Leading London law firm Withers has been ordered to pay £1.6m in damages after the High Court upheld a claim of professional negligence over the drafting of an LLP agreement.
Edmonds urges Law Society and Bar Council to accept change in interests of their members
The attitude of “some in positions of immense responsibility” in the legal profession represents a “direct threat” to an innovative future for legal services, the chairman of the Legal Services Board has claimed.
Lords urge HMRC to delay LLP tax changes
An influential House of Lords committee has added its voice to calls for the government to delay its partnership tax reforms until 2015, so as to allow LLPs time to adjust to the changes.
BLP integrates key elements of City law firm innovation
Berwin Leighton Paisner has sought to be raise the bar for innovation in the City with the launch of a four-pronged ‘Integrated Client Service Model’. It combines process mapping, outsourcing, ‘virtual transaction teams’, and the opening of a ‘legal services delivery team’ in Manchester.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
