Latest news
SRA writes to over 1,000 firms about poor sanctions compliance
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has written to give guidance to more than 1,000 law firms that admit they do not have basic controls in place to mitigate sanctions risk.
MoJ brings back employment tribunal fees to “incentivise” settlement
The Ministry of Justice has launched plans to bring back “modest” employment tribunal fees of £55 per case, seven years after the Supreme Court ruled that a previous scheme was unlawful.
Bespoke remote hearings platform to go national in autumn
HM Courts & Tribunals Service is set to roll out a new bespoke platform for remote hearings in the autumn, replacing the Cloud Video Platform, it has revealed.
Solicitor who misled firm about client loans and referrals struck off
A solicitor who actively concealed from his employer the fact that he had taken loans from clients and received referral fees from a short-term lender has been struck off.
“The new PPI” – is car finance mis-selling the next big litigation wave?
Claims over mis-sold car finance are shaping up to be the big new growth area for consumer litigation practices, with Pogust Goodhead launching myfinanceclaim.com.
Women now make up 40% of Bar as diversity trends continue
Long-term trends of improving diversity at the Bar continued last year, with women now making up just over 40% of barristers, Bar Standards Board figures have shown.
Court of Appeal sets out limits of relief from sanctions regime
A failure to seek permission under the CPR does not automatically mean lawyers then need to apply for relief from sanctions, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
‘Conflict of interest’ solicitor threatened client with libel action
A solicitor has been fined for acting for clients in a property dispute knowing they had a possible negligence claim against the firm for causing the litigation in the first place.
ARAG chief calls for help in boosting legal expenses insurance take-up
The boss of ARAG has called for support in spreading the message of how legal expenses insurance (LEI) can support access to justice in the wake of its acquisition of competitor DAS.
Government announces early legal advice pilot for separating couples
The government is to launch a pilot of early legal advice for separating couples to judge what impact it could have to speed up a resolution.
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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