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Long-term sustainability of civil legal aid in doubt, MoJ research finds
There is “notable cause for concern” over the long-term sustainability of the civil legal aid sector, research commissioned by the Ministry of Justice has concluded.
Success rate continues to fall as 95 new KCs appointed
The appointments of 95 new King’s Counsel were announced today after the highest number of applications for 15 years – but the success rate is falling.
CA allows representative action against IP law firm to go ahead
The Court of Appeal has given the green light to a representative action against IP law firm Marks & Clerk that alleges it overcharged thousands of clients.
LSB warns regulators to meet deadline on new transparency rules
The Legal Services Board has warned the frontline regulators that it will take action if they do not deliver new measures to improve transparency around lawyers’ services by September.
SRA hands out fines nearing £50,000 for AML failures
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has this week issued fines totalling nearly £50,000 to two law firms and a solicitor over various breaches of anti-money laundering rules.
Immigration solicitor’s complaints about Daily Mail sting rejected
One of the immigration solicitors caught up in a Daily Mail sting last summer has failed in his complaint about it to the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
Barrister’s “shame” at thought of role in wrongful Post Office conviction
A barrister who prosecuted a sub-postmaster has said he is sickened and “ashamed” at the thought he may have presented incorrect evidence to a court.
UK’s first not-for-profit law firm aims to inspire others
The founder of a pioneering not-for-profit law firm, where any profits are given to charity, has said his aim is not to create a “monster firm” but to inspire other altruistic lawyers to follow his example.
Lawyer rebuked for not checking ID of walk-in client
A chartered legal executive who failed to check the identity of a walk-in client who said the firm had acted for him in the past has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Digital property group aims to “accelerate use of AI”
Upfront information and accelerating the use of emerging technology such as AI are among the priorities that the Digital Property Market Steering Group has pledged to progress this year.
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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