Latest news
BSB will not investigate barrister over misgendering trans lawyers
The Bar Standards Board has decided not to investigate a gender-critical barrister who was accused of being transphobic by misgendering two trans lawyers.
Government to raise extra £35m after trimming list of rising court fees
The government has trimmed the number of court fees it will increase by 10% next month, reducing the likely revenue they will raise from £42m to £35m.
Ministers tighten NDAs rules a little – five years after promising it
The government last week closed what campaigners called a “small loophole” to ensure that NDAs do not prevent victims from accessing legal and other advice relating to criminal conduct.
Law firm £1.3m negligence saga “does not reflect well on profession”
A City law firm has failed to strike out a £1.3m negligence claim arising from a discretionary trust it set up for a man described by a High Court judge as “serially let down” by the profession.
Bar Council issues warning over Garrick Club membership
The Bar Council said yesterday that membership of the men-only Garrick Club creates “the potential for unfair advantage” when it came to practitioners needing references to become judges.
MPs urge SRA to speed up investigation into SSB collapse
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to speed up its investigation into the collapse of Sheffield law firm SSB Law, MPs said this week, with one calling out “dodgy” solicitors.
Legal Services Board adds £1.75m to levy on legal profession
The Legal Services Board is set to trim back the increase in its budget for the coming year to 10%, while also approving a 7% rise in the Legal Ombudsman’s budget.
Government looks to the Netherlands for civil legal aid reform
The Dutch civil legal aid model for triaging cases, reducing bureaucracy by trusting providers and building “360-degree feedback loops” could help in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has been told.
Wasted costs “not the right approach” for ex-client let down by firm
The High Court has rejected an unusual application by a former client for wasted costs against a law firm which accepted its conduct of his case was “reprehensible”.
APIL drops fixed costs judicial review after government “concessions”
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has withdrawn its judicial review against the government challenging aspects of last October’s extension of fixed recoverable costs.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
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