Latest news
SRA acts over identity fraud after series of bogus law firms
A rash of bogus law firms in recent months has persuaded the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to publish guidance for solicitors on guarding against identity theft. It has issued six warnings about bogus firms or branch offices of legitimate firms in the past six months.
Profession “losing ground” over improving social mobility, warns LETR
Work on increasing social mobility in the legal profession is losing ground amid concerns over the effectiveness of the many separate initiatives aimed at increasing diversity, the latest paper from the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) has suggested.
Eight PI brands dominate web searches as market fails to make best of social media, says report
Just eight personal injury brands dominate the web searches of potential clients, with national law firm Irwin Mitchell leading the way, new research has found. The report also found social media strategies “massively under-developed within the legal services sector”.
MoJ holds line on extending RTA portal next April despite warnings that it cannot be done
The government is determined to introduce the expanded RTA claims portal in April 2013, the Ministry of Justice has stressed, despite the company behind the system saying it cannot be done in that time.
Regulators and professional bodies strike MDP deal
Twelve regulators and professional bodies from the legal, accountancy, financial and property sectors have finally signed a formal agreement aimed at co-ordinating the oversight of multi-disciplinary practices.
COLP/COFA readiness – take part in a benchmarking survey
Legal Futures is the media partner for the most comprehensive independent survey to date to establish the state of readiness of the legal services sector to respond to the impact of the full compliance obligations in the SRA Handbook. It is being undertaken by Edge International and Khiara Law LLP.
Council plans joint venture ABS with law firm to target public sector clients
Kent Legal Services – the legal arm of Kent County Council – is planning to launch an alternative business structure in conjunction with regional law firm Geldards, it has emerged.
Scrapping minimum salary will stimulate more, if lower-paid, training contracts, says SRA
Scrapping the minimum salary for trainee solicitors is likely to stimulate more training contracts – but the majority will pay below the current minimum level, a Solicitors Regulation Authority report has concluded. However, the negative impact on diversity is not as clear-cut as critics think.
Government confirms U-turn on raising small-claims limit for PI claims
The government today executed a major U-turn on raising the small claims limit for personal injury claims, having announced three months ago that it was not going to do so.
Court of Appeal ruling highlights need for retainers to deal with clients who won’t pay their bills
Law firms’ terms of business need to clearly provide them with adequate rights to stop work for a client who refuses to pay, solicitors have been warned following an important Court of Appeal ruling yesterday.
Blog
How unstoppable AI is reshaping UK legal practice
At a time when most technology innovation still flows from the US and China, UK lawtech is attracting growing international attention and capital.
Modern vehicles: new injury profiles and new legal challenges
As the number of electric vehicles on UK roads continues to grow year-on-year, it is important to address the risks that come with their increased adoption.
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.
