Latest news
Law firms warned over lack of AML risk assessments
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned law firms that they must carry out client/matter risk assessments or risk being subject to a new system of fixed penalties.
Social mobility at entry level “not translating into promotions”
Social mobility at entry level into law firms is often “not translating into promotion opportunities”, the new and youngest-ever president of Birmingham Law Society has said.
Insolvency funder to ramp up work on Bounce Back Loan recoveries
Leading insolvency litigation funder Manolete is to receive more cases from Barclays to recover Covid Bounce Back Loans that appear to have been misappropriated by company directors.
Acquisitions help propel fast-growing PI firm to rapid growth
The personal injury law firm aiming to become the largest in the country has had another year of major growth, despite the overall sluggishness of the market.
Court rejects bid for non-party costs order against claimant’s solicitors
The High Court has rejected a bid to make a claimant’s solicitors pay the costs of assessment proceedings where the protection of qualified one-way costs shifting is in place.
Bar Council: “Hard to fathom” LSB’s criticism of cab-rank rule
The Bar Council has hit back at Legal Services Board comments on the cab-rank rule, saying that it is “hard to fathom” why it would be against a rule that supports consumer choice.
Big law firms abandon external investment in the face of volatility
None of the top 100 law firms are “actively pursuing alternative funding or ownership structures”, such as listing on Stock Exchange, for the next three to five years, a survey has found.
LSB: Lawyers’ misconduct justifies further action on NDAs
Examples of lawyers’ misconduct when dealing with non-disclosure agreements are a “cause for concern” and justify further regulatory action, the Legal Services Board said this week.
Online probate process “taking longer than paper”
Private client lawyers believe the new online probate process is taking longer than the old paper-based system, with family solicitors and civil litigators also unhappy with digital processes.
“Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid cab-rank rule
It seems “relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule and its importance to access to justice may be overstated, the Legal Services Board has said.
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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