Latest news
City firm’s conduct of dispute with senior lawyer “verges on bullying”
The “disproportionately aggressive and unnecessary” behaviour of Clyde & Co in a dispute with one of its senior lawyers in Dubai “verges on bullying”, the High Court has ruled.
Law firm wrongly paid out £2.5m of client monies, High Court rules
A law firm paid away £2.5m in client monies without instruction and also forged its client’s signature on multiple documents, the High Court has decided.
Junior solicitor lied about applying for grants of probate
A junior solicitor who told clients, colleagues and others that she had submitted applications for grants of probate when she had not, has been struck off.
Private equity house invests in two law firms in quick succession
A private equity house has acquired stakes in two law firms in quick succession – one specialising in conveyancing and the other in private prosecutions.
ATE insurer settles action over failed consumer claims for £48.5m
Legal expenses insurer AmTrust has paid £48.5m to settle a claim brought by the disbursement funder owed money following the collapse of Pure Legal and High Street Solicitors.
Irwin Mitchell sells off £10m debt recovery business
Irwin Mitchell is selling its debt recovery business as it focuses on core legal services, kicking off the latest round of law firm deals.
Solicitor fails in challenge to suspension over litigation misconduct
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor suspended for a year for engaging in “persistent, abusive litigation conduct”.
Entry of PE “puts focus on capital growth, not annual cash distribution”
Private equity allows law firms “to build for capital growth rather than cash distribution” and represents a “fundamental shift in how firms can compete”, the Law Firm Growth Summit heard yesterday.
Rapson sets out priorities for turning round SRA performance
Changes in how solicitors are supervised, taking more time to listen to the profession and reviewing the threshold for action are among the SRA’s priorities for this year.
Introducing AI “should be next phase of tribunal reform”
Introducing AI into tribunals should be “the next phase” of the HM Courts and Tribunal Service reform programme, the Administrative Justice Council has said.
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.
