Latest news
Diversification paying off for Gateley as consultancies boost growth
Listed law firm Gateley’s diversification strategy is paying off, with complementary non-legal services responsible for most of the 7.6% growth in revenue, its half-year results have shown.
CMA urged to act over lack of progress on lawyer quality indicators
The Competition & Markets Authority has been urged to step in and accelerate the “painfully slow” progress legal regulators are making in developing quality indicators.
Courts “could cope” with large number of Post Office appeals, says LCJ
The courts “could cope” with a large volume of criminal appeals in the wake of the Post Office scandal, the Lady Chief Justice told MPs yesterday.
CA upholds ruling that solicitor did not condone partner’s £16m fraud
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the latest bid by the insurer of London law firm Jirehouse – whose founder is in jail for fraud – to exclude liability for the multi-million-pound loss suffered by a client.
Land Registry pilot aims to stop lenders chasing conveyancers
HM Land Registry is working with mortgage lenders to ensure they no longer need to chase conveyancers for updates on the progress of registration applications.
Solicitor fined £15,000 fine for AML due diligence failures
A partner who failed to conduct proper client due diligence in property transactions that had signs of money laundering has been fined £15,000.
Private client lawyer who pocketed clients’ fees is struck off
A salaried partner who told clients to pay him in cash or with cheques made out to him, which he kept, has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
BSB to scrap requirement for barristers to have a degree
The BSB is planning to scrap the requirement that Bar students have at least a lower second-class degree, opening the way for those with third-class degrees or no degree at all to become a barrister.
First diversity profile of in-house solicitors puts public sector to fore
The public sector is home to a more diverse group of in-house solicitors than the private sector, Solicitors Regulation Authority data has shown.
Ex-Dentons lawyer barred after groping colleague at work social
A Scottish solicitor who groped a colleague while working in the City at Dentons has had controls placed on his future employment in the sector.
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.
Reports
Associates
