Latest news
Solicitors launch self-help divorce tool
A new self-help divorce and separation tool, created by two solicitors formerly at City firm Withers, is aiming to help clients with no or limited budgets for legal advice.
Solicitor who lied about working for firm struck off
A solicitor who dishonestly misled his client, the court and opposing solicitors into thinking he was working at a law firm, when he was not, has been struck off.
Huge jumps in turnover and profits at Co-op Legal Services
Pioneering alternative business structure Co-operative Legal Services saw a major year of growth in 2023, with revenue up nearly 48% to £68m and profits leaping 260% from £8m to £21m.
Man denied fair trial after ditching counsel has conviction quashed
The Court of Appeal has quashed the conviction of a man who dispensed with counsel on the second day of trial after finding he was then denied a fair hearing.
Law Society “risking revolt by members” over conveyancing forms
The Law Society’s failure to consult solicitors on key changes to conveyancing practice, most recently the revised TA6 form, risks a “revolt” by members, it has been warned.
Law firm owner struck off for misleading High Court over JRs
A law firm owner who misled the High Court over the conduct of failed judicial reviews in immigration cases and tried to shift some of the blame on to a paralegal has been struck off.
Conveyancing fees down a fifth since stamp duty holiday
Conveyancing fees are down by over a fifth in real terms from the peaks seen during the stamp duty holiday as the market has cooled, according to new research.
Top litigation funder uses astrophysicists to help cut loss rate
Burford Capital, the world’s largest litigation funder, is using astrophysicists to help cut its loss rate from double figures to 8%, the company’s chief executive has revealed.
Big lenders invest £10m in blockchain property network
The three biggest mortgage lenders in the UK – Lloyds, Nationwide and NatWest – and property website Rightmove, have invested £10m in the digital property transaction business Coadjute.
Tribunal throws out solicitor’s claim based on sale of practice
An employment tribunal has struck out a solicitor’s breach of contract claim based on an agreement to transfer his practice to another firm, which was then to employ him.
Blog
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.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
