Latest news
Lawyers and CMCs face fee to complain to Financial Ombudsman
Lawyers and CMCs making complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service on behalf of clients will be charged for doing so in future, under plans published this week.
Transferring Pakistan and Bangladesh advocates causing BSB headache
The Bar Standards Board is setting up a taskforce to help it cope with a surge of lawyers from Pakistan and Bangladesh seeking to be called to the Bar in England and Wales.
Litigant unwittingly put fake cases generated by AI before tribunal
Nine authorities put before a tribunal by a litigant in person challenging a penalty from HMRC were fakes generated by an artificial intelligence system like ChatGPT, a judge has ruled.
Lincoln’s Inn looks to tackle “unacceptable” bullying and harassment
One in eight members of Lincoln’s Inn have experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment or discrimination in using a service or event organised by the inn.
Let AI help manage cases, says president of Supreme Court
Case management backed by artificial intelligence could make the courts more accessible, the president of the Supreme Court has said.
Ban for ex-Eversheds manager over inappropriate touching
A male former senior client development manager at Eversheds Sutherland who repeatedly grabbed a female colleague at an away day has been barred from the profession.
Hull practice becomes one of largest employee-owned firms to date
Hull-based Hudgell Solicitors has become one of the largest law firms to date to become employee owned, after founder Neil Hudgell decided to transfer the majority of shares to an EOT.
Online divorce service set for major growth after Octopus acquisition
Octopus Group has expanded its presence in the legal market by acquiring a majority stake in amicable, the online divorce service that markets itself as an alternative to solicitors.
SRA faces independent review of approach to Axiom Ince
The Legal Services Board is planning an unprecedented independent review of how the Solicitors Regulation Authority has handled the Axiom Ince scandal, MPs were told yesterday.
Solicitors’ court battle to resume after former firm owner wins appeal
The High Court has overturned a decision to dismiss a breach of contract claim by a former law firm owner against the solicitor he sold his business to after being suspended.
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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