Latest news
High-profile non-lawyer firm owner disqualified by SRA
The man who founded now-defunct Stobart Barristers and then bought two well-known criminal law firms has been disqualified from running a law firm in future.
Senior lawyer “should decide if Post Office compensation is full and fair”
A senior lawyer should be appointed to make sure that first compensation offers to victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal are “full and fair”, the first part of the inquiry report has recommended.
Government backs MP’s bill to extend use of remote hearings
The government has given its “wholehearted support” to a private member’s bill that gives judges the power to hold remote hearing for breaches of some injunctions.
Engine of change – Philip’s new role as he heads to SRA exit
The outgoing chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has lined up his first non-executive role by joining the board of the Institute of the Motor Industry.
NDAs to cover up harassment and discrimination “will be void”
The government is to ban non-disclosure agreements covering harassment and discrimination unless the victim themselves asks for one.
Rule change to stop solicitors “unreasonably refusing” service by email
Parties or their solicitors “unreasonably refusing to accept electronic service” could become a tactic of the past under reforms put out by the CPRC.
Young barrister reprimanded for throwing bottle in bar
A barrister has been reprimanded following her conviction for throwing a bottle at another woman in a Nottingham cocktail bar.
The Solicitor’s Charity reports rising demand for support
The Solicitors Charity has reported rising demand for mental health services, emotional support as well as financial backing from practitioners in distress.
Court of Appeal upholds post-PACCAR litigation funding deals
The Court of Appeal has upheld as enforceable litigation funding agreements which calculate funders’ return as a multiple of their investment, rather than a percentage of damages.
Solicitor tried to stop counterpart reporting breach of undertaking
A solicitor who breached an undertaking and then tried to stop his opposite number reporting him to the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been struck off.
Blog
The SRA and privileged material – this is not the end
All disclosure to the SRA must now exclude privileged material, which will not only hamper investigations but also cause additional work for firms providing disclosure.
Legal Ombudsman fee reforms risk widening the justice gap
Charging firms simply because a complaint moves through the process weakens the present connection between fees and fault. It could also encourage firms to settle for commercial reasons.
Why upfront information could transform home buying
The success of upfront property information will depend on more than simply making the information available.
Reports
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