Latest news
Blavo to face SDT at last over huge legal aid fraud
The boss of Blavo & Co – the major legal aid firm found by the High Court to have made fraudulent claims on public funds – will finally face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal this month.
City law firms using diversity schemes for “reputation laundering”
The efforts of City law firms to become more diverse and inclusive are a form of “reputation laundering”, offering only the “illusion of change”, an academic has argued.
Solicitor validly served with claim at address on SRA website
A sole practitioner was validly served with a negligence claim at an address listed for him on the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s website, the High Court has ruled.
Tribunal lifts condition on solicitor “manipulated” by timeshare scheme
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has lifted a condition on a former law firm boss who admitted she had “permitted herself to be manipulated” by a timeshare scheme.
Law firms double revenue growth amid salary pressures
Law firms doubled their revenue growth in the last financial year as they prepared to reward staff with salary rises, research has found.
ChatGPT “struggles to cope” with high street law
AI chatbot ChatGPT has struggled to cope with a dozen legal scenarios, all based on the kind of questions faced by high street lawyers, put to it in a test by a solicitor.
Partner ignored SRA’s warning over providing banking facilities
A partner who ignored a warning letter from the SRA telling him not to use his client account as a banking facility, which he then did, has been fined £10,000.
Covid clinical negligence protocol cut number of litigated claims
A protocol agreed in the wake of Covid-19 to better manage clinical negligence claims during the pandemic is remaining in place after it appeared to reduce the number of contested cases.
IP law firm fails in bid to strike out ‘secret commissions’ claim
A leading intellectual property law firm has failed in its bid to strike out a representative action brought over ten of millions of pounds in alleged secret commissions it earned on IP renewals.
Negligence claim against law firm to go ahead after limitation ruling
A negligence claim over inheritance tax advice provided by City law firm Charles Russell Speechlys is to go ahead after the High Court held that it is not time-barred.
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.
