Latest news
Law Society eyes solicitors’ consortia to run legal advice helplines
The Law Society is set to examine creating consortia of solicitors to run subscription-funded legal advice helplines as part of proposals to “fix” the civil justice system.
Rise in bullying and harassment complaints against barristers
The Bar Standards Board has welcomed an increase in reports of bullying and harassment in the profession, saying the rise indicates growing confidence in how it deals with them.
Sanctioned company has “right to access courts”, appeal judges rule
The Court of Appeal has rejected a Russian tycoon’s bid to stay an $850m claim brought against him by two Russian banks, despite one being sanctioned, citing the right to access the courts.
Eight out of 10 City law firms report fall in PEP
Profits per equity partner are tumbling at City law firms despite increases in revenue, new research has found. Eight in 10 City firms reported a decline in PEP this year.
Bar chief suspended for train chat that breached court order
The former head of the Scottish Bar has been suspended after being filmed on a train naming women who had accused ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond of sexual assault, in breach of a court order.
PII renewal heralds annual M&A rush among law firms
The 1 October indemnity insurance deadline many law firms still adhere to has been marked by the usual rush of merger activity up and down the country, from Leeds to Nottingham to Devon and beyond.
Law firm fined after building up £105k in residual client balances
A North London law firm that allowed £105,000 of residual client balances to build up over 13 years has been fined £14,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Law firm consultant was worker, not employee, tribunal rules
A solicitor who worked as a consultant for a South London law firm was not an employee and so could not sue for unfair dismissal and breach of contract, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Law firm loses out on $3m after CA rejects bid to sever part of CFA
A law firm which charged its client nearly $3m under an unenforceable conditional fee agreement has to repay the money after failing to sever the offending clause, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
SDT clears City lawyer in Zoom “espionage” case
A senior City lawyer accused of misconduct which the public would view as “perhaps even tantamount to espionage” has been cleared by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Blog
The cost of systemic failure and childbirth injuries
Recent reports show that the NHS has paid almost £3.5bn in medical claims around childbirth injuries over the past six years.
Mazur: when regulators make simple things complicated
What the last six months have shown is that supervision cannot be treated as a background compliance obligation quietly managed somewhere in a firm’s operational processes.
How unstoppable AI is reshaping UK legal practice
At a time when most technology innovation still flows from the US and China, UK lawtech is attracting growing international attention and capital.
