Latest news
Law firms “need WhatsApp policies” when advising asylum clients
WhatsApp has become the “preferred communications tool” for law firms handling asylum work, but most lack a “clear, written usage policy”, the SRA has said.
Review body warns on quality of judges as it calls for 6% pay rise
The Senior Salaries Review Body has expressed its “unease” at a “long-term decline” in quality ratings for new district and circuit judges as it recommended a 6% pay rise across the bench.
Four guilty of coroner kidnap plot based on pseudo-legal ideas
A group of people who wanted to kidnap and ‘punish’ a coroner, using pseudo-legal concepts that have been rubbished by the courts, have been found guilty of multiple offences.
No relief from sanctions for solicitor who demanded referral fee
The High Court has refused relief from sanctions for a solicitor who claimed a profit share of £96,000 from a mortgage broker to whom he had referred a client.
SRA ordered to pay costs after “flawed” ban on non-solicitor
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered the SRA to pay costs of £5,000 after bringing a “flawed and misconceived” case against a non-solicitor.
High Court grants injunction to judge harassed by brother-in-law
The High Court has granted a final injunction to stop a district judge being harassed by his brother-in-law over a will.
LSB entitled to withhold email addresses of staff
The Legal Services Board is entitled to withhold the email addresses of its board of directors and staff, the Information Commissioner’s Office has ruled in response to an FoI request.
Claim against law firm back on after High Court overturns strike-out
The High Court has overturned a master’s decision to strike out a claim against a London law firm because of a release clause in a previous settlement involving its clients.
Knights returns to the acquisition trail with £12.5m deal
Listed law firm consolidator Knights has unveiled its first acquisition in over a year – and 22nd in total – by announcing a £12.5m deal for West Midlands firm Thursfields Legal.
Number of LPAs registered soars by 28%
There was a 28% surge in the number of applications for lasting powers of attorney last year, but the Office of the Public Guardian still managed to reduce its backlog.
Blog
The SRA’s strict liability gamble has failed. Good
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dentons v SRA on 27 April, and the profession is right to welcome it. It is the second time in short succession that the court has corrected the SRA.
How AI presents real opportunities for barristers
AI presents real opportunities to improve access to justice and to support barristers in day-to-day legal practice. But we all need to understand and mitigate the risks.
Not everything can be a competition issue – a new dawn for consumer redress
Last month, the Law Commission launched a new project to “consider the potential introduction of a consumer class actions regime” in England and Wales.
