Latest news
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.
Charitable family law ABS encourages model for other practice areas
A not-for-profit family law alternative business structure is looking at other sectors where it could help vulnerable and under-represented people are not eligible for legal aid.
Suspension for barrister who failed to pay former law firm partner
A barrister who failed to comply with a court order to pay £54,600 to a former salaried partner in his law firm has been suspended for six months by a Bar disciplinary tribunal.
Online portal fault allowed couples to divorce too early
A fault in the digital divorce system allowed 67 members of the public to apply for their divorces earlier than they were allowed to by law, it emerged last week.
Review of whiplash tariff concluded – but may not be published
The Lord Chancellor has completed his review of the whiplash tariff but it is unclear whether the plan to publish it in early June will now happen because of the election.
Leading firm apologises to court for interfering with expert’s statement
A leading London law firm has apologised to the High Court and opposing party after going too far in asking an expert witness to amend a joint statement.
Lawyers and CMCs face £250 fee to complain to Financial Ombudsman
Lawyers and claims management companies making volume complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service on behalf of clients will be charged £250 per case, it has proposed.
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.
