Latest news
Kennedys becomes second largest law firm to convert to ABS status
City firm Kennedys has become the second largest law firm to become an alternative business structure (ABS) after being awarded a licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The firm said the licence will allow greater opportunities for growth.
SRA closes three South East law firms in two days
The Solicitors Regulation Authority closed three law firms in London and Essex in just two days last week, giving suspected dishonesty as a reason for each separate intervention.
“Do not dismiss ABSs,” Lord Judge tells criminal law barristers
Lord Judge, the former Lord Chief Justice, has warned criminal law barristers that the “old-fashioned chambers structures must be reconsidered” and they must not dismiss alternative business structures “out of hand”.
Barrister entrepreneur launches drafting service for lawyers
Barrister entrepreneur William Rees has launched an online drafting service aimed at mainly at solicitors in small firms. The business provides “customised templates”, which aim to be more tailored to lawyers’ requirements and individual cases than traditional precedents.
BSB to “consider future” of Bar Professional Training Course
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) launched its ‘future Bar training’ programme this morning, which includes “considering the future of the Bar Professional Training Course” (BPTC).
Law firms and chambers told to up their game on diversity or face “nuclear” option of quotas
Law firms and chambers need to accelerate the increase in workforce diversity if they are to ward off the “nuclear” option of quotas being imposed, the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) has warned.
LSB must “knock heads together” to lower burden of proof in disciplinary proceedings
The Legal Services Board must “knock heads together” to replace the criminal burden of proof in disciplinary proceedings involving solicitors and barristers with the civil standard, the chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said.
Grieve tells Grayling on being Lord Chancellor: “It helps to be a lawyer”
Dominic Grieve MP, the former Attorney General, has made it clear that he believes there are advantages in the Lord Chancellor being a lawyer. He was responding to comments by Chris Grayling that there were “no disadvantages” in his lack of legal qualifications.
Ex-Halliwells partners win immunity from liquidator claims
Nine partners who left Halliwells shortly before it collapsed have won a High Court declaration that liquidators cannot pursue them for £125,000 each in alleged overdrawings.
LSB backs rules to prevent large organisations claiming on compensation fund
The Legal Services Board has approved the introduction of restrictions that prevent large organisations from making claims on the Solicitors Compensation Fund. Claims will only be considered if they are made by individuals, small businesses, small charities or small trusts.
Blog
Reorientation in the AI era must begin with the client
Much of the discussion about AI in the legal industry focuses on technology: which tools to adopt and which tasks might get automated. But this misses the deeper story.
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
