Latest news
Listed company’s law firm to shut after rest of business is sold
The law firm at the heart of AIM-listed company MJ Hudson is to be wound down after a deal was struck to sell the rest of the business to a financial services giant for £40m.
SRA to use new economic crime power “hundreds of times a year”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority expects to use its proposed new power to demand information from solicitors about economic crime several hundred times a year, it has emerged.
Advice sector workers “risked Covid to provide face-to-face support”
Advice sector workers risked being infected with Covid to preserve face-to-face support during the pandemic, a report for the Ministry of Justice has found.
Law firm to “harness power of ChatGPT” for clinical negligence cases
The biggest specialist serious injury firm in the country is working on ways to harness the power of technology related to ChatGPT to help it handle medical negligence claims.
SRA fines firm £5k for persistent anti-money laundering failures
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has continued to flex its new fining powers by issuing a £5,000 penalty against a law firm for six years of anti-money laundering failures.
Two for two: struck-off Irish solicitor struck off in England and Wales
A solicitor already struck off in Ireland for a different offence has now been struck off in England and Wales after using one client’s money to pay another’s tax liability.
Private equity house backs fourth law firm acquisition
The private equity house looking to building a £100m legal services group has made its fourth acquisition with a bolt-on for Lancashire firm Farleys.
Law Society research highlights solicitor wellbeing woes
Solicitors score lower than the UK average on all positive measures of wellbeing, and are more likely to rate their anxiety higher, Law Society research has revealed.
Courts not “insurers of solicitors” in divorce cases where costs overrun
It is not the role of courts to act as “insurers of solicitors” who “overshoot, let alone dramatically overshoot” legal services payment orders, a Family Court judge has said.
Firm rejects High Court criticism of partners’ “unreliable” evidence
Anglo-Scottish firm Shepherd & Wedderburn has rejected criticism made by a High Court judge of its managing partner and a litigation partner.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
