Latest news
Tribunal refuses to downplay “romantic” misconduct of prosecutor
A prosecuting barrister suspended for “unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature” towards a “very vulnerable” female defendant acted intentionally rather than recklessly, a tribunal has ruled.
Train case lawyers will be paid more if fewer people claim damages
The reasonable costs of a £25m class action settlement are “probably well in excess of £10m” but the lawyers and funder will only receive that if many of those entitled to damages do not claim them.
Lack of evidence for CILEX to switch regulators, consumer panel says
CILEX switching regulator to the Solicitors Regulation Authority may be a good idea but both have failed to provide the evidence to prove it, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said.
White law students “twice as likely to be sponsored” by employers
White students are almost twice as likely to be sponsored by a law firm through law school than Asian and Black students, major new research for the Solicitors Regulation Authority has found.
Law Society admits it should have consulted on conveyancing forms
The Law Society has admitted that it should have consulted with its members during the process of redrafting conveyancing forms TA6 and TA7.
“No vision” on use of AI by family justice system
There is currently “not a vision” for how people in the family justice system, clients and professionals, can “safely harness” the benefits of artificial intelligence, research has argued.
Barrister reprimanded for drugs convictions
A barrister has been reprimanded by a Bar disciplinary tribunal, after being convicted in Malawi of attempting to export hemp to the UK.
Birss drops hint that clin neg fixed costs could be delayed further
The extension of fixed recoverable costs to low value clinical negligence cases could be delayed to 2025 because of continuing issues with the new rules, it has emerged.
Solicitor used LPA to steal cash from vulnerable client
A solicitor who stole cash from a vulnerable client using her debit card while acting under a lasting power of attorney has been struck off.
Immigration platform “to help law firms attract clients”
An immigration platform launching this week is aiming to help law firms attract “very strong leads”, in return for a monthly subscription.
Blog
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
