Latest news
From the Russian mafia to the Arab Spring – SRA records big rise in money laundering reports
The number of law firms suspected of involvement in money laundering trebled last year, with some solicitors mixed up with the Russian mafia as well as “inappropriate transactions” following the Arab Spring, the Solicitors Regulation Authority revealed yesterday.
LSB presses on with statutory guidance forcing regulators to liberalise education and training
Statutory guidance that requires legal regulators to move away from assuming would-be lawyers have to spend a certain amount of time training before they qualify was published yesterday by the Legal Services Board.
Second phase of apprenticeships scheme opens door to solicitor and conveyancer qualification
Key players in the legal profession have welcomed the second phase of a government-backed scheme that will create apprenticeships which for the first time will lead to qualification as a solicitor, while a new apprenticeship in conveyancing will also be developed.
Lord Chief Justice floats shift to inquisitorial system
The Lord Chief Justice has called for radical and bold action to protect the justice system in the face of retrenchment by the state, including considering a change to a more inquisitorial system in which judges question evidence.
Law Society launches £80,000 project to become “more member focused”
The Law Society has launched an £80,000 project that aims to make it a “more member-focused organisation”, Legal Futures can reveal. Chancery Lane has hired a former head of communication campaigns at insurance giant Aviva to spearhead the work.
Barrister who falsified qualifications disbarred after mitigation was thrown into question
A barrister who made national headlines after it was discovered he had falsified his educational qualifications and attainments was disbarred on appeal because of fresh evidence that undermined his mitigation, it has emerged.
Acquisition by Helphire will “future-proof” NewLaw in shrinking PI marketplace
The law firm acquired last week by accident management giant Helphire believes it has secured its place in a future slimmed-down personal injury market, and will be one of the ‘last men standing’ now it can offer a one-stop shop.
Mortgage fraud solicitor who fled to South Africa to evade justice finally jailed for six years
A former solicitor who had to be extradited from South Africa after attempting to flee justice was last week sent to jail for six years for his involvement in what the judge described as “two quite spectacular mortgage frauds”.
Ex-Dewey & LeBoeuf partner wins first round in battle with Barclays over capital loan
The High Court last week rejected Barclays Bank’s application for summary judgment over the liability of a former partner of failed US firm Dewey & LeBoeuf for a capital loan made in his name.
MoJ pushes for crime market consolidation despite its own research warning over speed of change
Many criminal law firms will have to merge, or enter into joint ventures, or form alternative business structures, to survive, after the government announced yesterday that it would push ahead with legal aid reforms that are predicated on market consolidation.
Blog
Preparing people for the pace of technological change
While technology often dominates the conversation, I believe the most important challenge facing law firms is not adopting new tools – it is preparing people to adapt alongside them.
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,
