Latest news
SME law firms reduce reliance on client account interest
SME law firms performed strongly last year, making good profits without relying on client account interest and controlling their overheads well, according to new research.
Licensed conveyancers embrace employee ownership
A law firm in Nottinghamshire founded in 1888 has become the first regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers to transfer to employee ownership.
BBC sting heaps pressure on immigration lawyers and SRA
A BBC undercover investigation has again thrown the spotlight on immigration lawyers, claiming that “a shadow industry of law firms and advisers” is helping migrants bring bogus asylum cases.
Government sets out conditions for ‘excepted’ NDAs
The government has proposed detailed conditions which would allow employers and workers to sign NDAs relating to harassment or discrimination in strictly limited situations.
SRA “wants conversation about who handles complaints about solicitors”
The SRA “would love to have a conversation” about whether the responsibility for handling complaints should continue to be split with the Legal Ombudsman, MPs have heard.
Prison sentence for former executor who refused law firm’s requests
The High Court has imposed a suspended prison sentence on a former executor who failed to comply with court orders by not providing information to a law firm.
Declarations on AI in witness statements “would reduce efficiency”
Making litigators declare that they did not use AI in preparing witness statements would “reduce the efficiency that AI has introduced in certain tasks”, says APIL.
Land Registry eyes “step-change in automation” with digital remortgage
HM Land Registry is planning to deliver the “biggest step-change in land registration automation for many years”, including the development of a digital remortgage.
Solicitor who falsely recorded time to meet targets struck off
A solicitor who falsely recorded 100 hours of time to help meet her billing targets has been struck off, despite recognition of the mental health issues she was facing at the time.
SRA accused of “stonewalling” over health statistics
A solicitor who asked the SRA to confirm how many times conditions have been placed on practising certificates because of health concerns says he is being “stonewalled”.
Blog
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
The Decent Homes Standard scandal
It is well established that the UK has the highest proportion of inadequate housing in all of Europe. But what if the heart of the problem is even worse than we think?
The evolving standard: AI and professional negligence
AI creates an obvious professional negligence risk. Using it carelessly may fall below the standard of reasonable skill and care. As may failing to use it, in certain circumstances.
