Latest news
Non-lawyer ownership of law firms “will do a disservice” to clients, claim top general counsel
Any form of non-lawyer ownership of law firms is bad for clients, nine leading general counsel have claimed. The group of US-based in-house lawyers said they also detected no great interest in or need for non-lawyer ownership.
Women and BME lawyers “use special strategies to overcome discrimination in large law firms”
Women and people from ethnic minorities have to employ special strategies to overcome institutional discrimination when working in large law firms, the British Sociological Association’s annual conference will hear today.
LSB defends the use of “forceful facilitation” against “misguided” criticism of its work…
The Legal Services Board has hit back at the “misguided” criticism of its role, saying that experience has proven the need for its “forceful facilitation”. Its response to the Ministry of Justice’s triennial review comes after severe criticism from some of those it oversees.
… as Law Society calls on government to slash the LSB’s budget to stop it overstepping the mark
The Legal Services Board should have its budget slashed so as to rein in its ambitions to move beyond a supervisory role, the Law Society has claimed. However, the SRA, CILEx and Council for Licensed Conveyancers have been more measured in their criticism.
SRA to adopt City firms’ recommendation on dealing with conflicts of interest overseas
City law firms facing conflict issues overseas should apply the rules that apply in the relevant jurisdiction, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has suggested. Meanwhile, the SRA and the Law Society of Scotland have begun discussions on an intra-UK regulatory regime.
"Flawed" Bar disciplinary panels oversaw hundreds of cases
Around 550 disciplinary cases involving barristers could be affected by the failure to validly appoint some of the tribunal members who sat in judgment on them, we can reveal. Specialist regulatory lawyers are watching closely to see if cases can be reopened.
News round-up: would-be ABS expands, HSBC publishes panel criteria, and much more
Our regular round-up of news includes Quindell Portfolio’s latest acquisition, Simmons & Simmons moving City work to Bristol, the SRA’s City adviser joining Obelisk Legal, the Law Society withdrawing its PII broker list, and much more besides.
Licensed conveyancers refused right to conduct litigation and advocacy – for now
The Legal Services Board yesterday rejected a bid to allow licensed conveyancers to conduct litigation and advocacy, after more than a year of consideration. It had run into fierce opposition from the Lord Chief Justice and the Law Society.
Set the date to scrap the LSB, Bar regulator tells government
The “end is in sight” for the Legal Services Board (LSB) and it can be abolished in about three years’ time, the Bar’s regulator has told the government. The Bar Council stopped short of this, but said the LSB should be reined in.
Cost of legal services continues to rise – as does number of people going it alone without lawyers
The continued rise in the cost of legal services at a time when consumer wealth has fallen could be putting people off seeking legal advice, new research has suggested. The Legal Services Board report also found indications of falling quality.
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.
