Latest news
MPs probe chair-elect of LSB over conflict of interest risk
MPs yesterday grilled the prospective chair of the Legal Services Board over a potential conflict of interest with her existing role as chair of King’s Counsel Appointments.
Listed law firm eyes biggest acquisition
Listed law firm Knights has confirmed that it is in talks with a leading South-East practice in what would be by far the biggest deal it has ever done.
Ex-manager who failed to refer work to law firm has to repay debt instead
A tax specialist owes his former law firm £204,000 in overpayments he received while an employee after failing to refer work that would cover his debt, the High Court has ruled.
No strike-off for solicitor’s “spontaneous dishonesty”
A solicitor who signed a deed as a witness to a signature when she had not actually been present has escaped being struck off.
Half of clients think AI can replace solicitors
As many as half of law firm clients believe that AI can replace a qualified solicitor, although most say this would only be for routine matters.
Search fund buys conveyancing and private client law firm
An investor-backed search fund has acquired a conveyancing and private client law firm as the start of a ‘buy and build’ strategy aimed particularly at SME practices with succession issues.
Three-quarters of SDT cases take longer than six months
Only 24% of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal cases concluded within six months last year, according to new figures from the organisation.
Research highlights how even-handed Commercial Court judges are
There is no “statistically meaningful bias” by Commercial Court judges towards claimants or defendants, a report has found. Claims values, meanwhile, have surged.
Use of smart data in homebuying “could generate £14bn for UK”
Using smart data in the homebuying process could generate over £14bn for the UK over a 15-year period, the Department for Business and Trade has estimated.
Legal Ombudsman names eight firms over “serious” service failures
A Liverpool law firm ordered to bear the cost of redeeming a client’s mortgage because of mistakes made in a conveyancing matter is among eight named by the Legal Ombudsman.
Blog
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
