Latest news
Judge uses new power to “encourage” ADR in absence of agreement
The High Court has used new powers to “encourage” the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in family proceedings in the absence of agreement between the parties.
Number of complaints to law firms up 20% in five years
The number of complaints received by law firms went up by about a fifth between 2019 and 2023, the SRA has found – but averages out only at four per practice.
SRA falling short on key target for progressing investigations
Efforts by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to speed up investigations are falling short of some of the targets introduced last year, it has emerged.
BSB board and staff at odds over transferring foreign lawyers
Members of the BSB clashed with senior staff last week over how to deal with the large number of foreign lawyers seeking to be called in England and Wales but who do not intend to practise here.
Law firm fined £12,400 for not making good on undertakings
A law firm in Nottingham that failed to perform undertakings it gave on two property transactions – allowing another party to register a charge on one of them – has been fined £12,400.
Profession to pay for firm failures as compensation fund levy soars
The SRA has proposed a 336% hike in compensation fund contributions for law firms in the wake of the spiralling cost of law firm failures.
SRA places controls on head of department who misued blue badge
A senior law firm staff member who used her late mother’s disabled badge to park in a disabled bay close to its offices has been placed under controls imposed by the SRA.
Government “does not understand” impact of decade-old legal aid cuts
The government does not understand how costs may have shifted to other areas of the justice system or public sector following cuts in legal aid, MPs have warned.
UK law firms “turn to tech rather than job cuts” to adapt to future
UK law firms are preferring to adopt new technology rather than cut staff to address the current economic climate when compared to their US and Australian counterparts.
London calling: Three capital deals lead way in latest M&A
Leading south coast law firm Lester Aldridge is boosting its London presence after agreeing a deal to acquire Mackrell, the largest of the deals announced recently.
Blog
The overlooked hate crime reform in Crime & Policing Act
Reforms introduced by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 mark a significant development in hate crime law in England and Wales, recognising hostility related to sex as an aggravated offence.
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.
