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Local law societies condemn SRA plans for client money
The SRA’s plans to reform consumer protection arrangements are disproportionate, risk undermining public confidence and will not work, the five largest local law societies have warned.
Court rejects divorcing husband’s conflict claim against solicitors
The Family Court has rejected a divorcing husband’s claim that his wife’s solicitors are conflicted out of acting for her because of past work they did for the couple.
Probate Service waiting times fall by 60% in 13 months
The Probate Service seems to have finally overcome its backlog, with average wait times in December 2024 now six and half weeks, compared to nearly 16 weeks a year earlier.
Fined solicitor had “implacable belief” in his AML knowledge
An experienced solicitor who had an “implacable belief that he was right” and so did not think he needed to check anti-money laundering rules has been fined £45,000 for breaching them.
Suspended barrister warns over “innocent conversations about hobbies”
The barrister suspended for two years after showing his photography website to a woman and offering to take unclothed photos of her has said it was “an innocent discussion”.
Proudman: BSB actions have had a “chilling effect” on me
In the second part of our interview with barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman, she discusses her run-ins with the Bar Standards Board, culminating in a disciplinary hearing.
Barrister and law centre cleared of giving negligent advice
A barrister was not negligent in his advice over possession proceedings and the law centre that instructed him was entitled to rely on his expertise, the High Court has ruled.
Barrister attacks legal directory’s “secret soundings”
A high-profile barrister has attacked “secret soundings” taken by a leading legal directory after discovering she had been bad-mouthed behind her back.
Charlotte Proudman: To create change, you have to put yourself out there
Legal Futures interviews Dr Charlotte Proudman, the outspoken barrister and campaigner who was recently cleared by a Bar disciplinary tribunal.
Law firm plays down BBC story on restricting AI use
Commercial law firm Hill Dickinson has played down a BBC report that it has blocked general access to several AI tools after it found a “significant increase in usage” by staff.
Blog
Lawyer burnout is not inevitable: what to do differently
Burnout is not simply an unavoidable cost of being a lawyer. Law firms cannot talk seriously about burnout without talking about how they design the work.
What the Equality Act adds to a housing claim
For those working across housing disrepair, there is a danger in viewing every case primarily through the condition of the property.
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.
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