Latest news
Claimant firms at odds as judge refuses group order for £18bn PPI case
A circuit judge has refused to make a group litigation order in relation to thousands of Plevin claims brought by one class action law firm, a move competitors had opposed.
“Disruptive” solicitor ordered to pay SRA costs of £20,000
A solicitor has been ordered to pay the SRA £20,000 in costs for his “unreasonable and indeed vexatious and disruptive conduct” of litigation against it.
Two firms rebuked for residual balances as charity launches campaign
Two law firms that between them retained £425,000 of client money for many years have been rebuked as charity Support Through Court called on solicitors to donate small residual balances.
LSB chair steps down less than halfway through term
The chair of the Legal Services Board, Alan Kershaw, has stood down from the role less than halfway through his term, citing personal considerations.
Top judge urges compulsory adjudication for costs disputes
Costs disputes worth more than £100,000 should be subject to compulsory adjudication, the judge who leads on costs issues in the Court of Appeal has said.
SRA moves closer to SSB Law prosecutions
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has completed its investigation into the collapse of SSB Law and issued disciplinary notices to “a number of individuals”.
“Time to review” selection and return to practice of salaried judges
A report for the Ministry of Justice has called for a review of the selection process used by the Judicial Appointments Commission for salaried judges.
ABS expansion as accountants start to offer legal services in the US
Multi-disciplinary practices are becoming a reality in the US after KPMG was granted an ABS licence and another accountancy firm announced plans to merge with a law firm.
Land Registry system will reject applications with “simple” errors
HM Land Registry is to up efforts to reduce the number of requisitions it has to send to conveyancers by automatically checking for “simple errors” in applications.
Paul Philip to retire as SRA chief executive
Paul Philip is to retire from the Solicitors Regulation Authority towards the end of 2025 after nearly 12 years as chief executive, it announced this morning.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
