Latest news
Regulating CILEX lawyers “will not affect solicitors”, says SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority does not expect acting as regulator for CILEX to “affect the identity of the solicitors’ profession or the way it is regulated”.
Enquiry tool helps law centres monitor surge in demand
The Law Centres Network is developing a digital tool aimed at helping law centres cope with a surge in demand due to the cost-of-living crisis.
GCs call for role to be set out in corporate governance code
A group of general counsel have called on the Financial Reporting Council to set out the role in the UK Corporate Governance Code and suggested how it could be done.
City lawyers: Russia sanctions on legal services have gone too far
City lawyers have warned the government that the recent tightening of sanctions on lawyers providing legal advisory services to Russians has gone too far.
Barrister reprimanded for “unreasonable” conduct of immigration case
A barrister made subject to a wasted costs order because of his conduct of an immigration judicial review has been reprimanded and fined by the Bar Standards Board.
ASA rules law firm’s flight delay claims adverts misleading
The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a Scottish airline’s complaints that a Manchester law firm’s adverts for flight delay claims were misleading.
Binding offers backed by AI “could end conveyancing uncertainty”
The introduction of binding offers, backed by widespread use of artificial intelligence, holds the key to improving the conveyancing process, a leading figure has predicted.
Solicitor “cut corners” when exchanging contracts on property sale
A judge has refused to order the sale of a house after finding that the buyer’s solicitor “cut corners” and did not hold a signed contract at the point of exchange, despite claiming he did.
DWF puts M&A on hold in face of financial challenges
The last annual results of DWF as the only law firm listed on the main London Stock Exchange showed revenue, lock-up and debt all rising, meaning it is not looking for acquisitions at the moment.
Solicitor blames launching firm on eve of Covid for rule breaches
A solicitor has blamed the difficulties of becoming a law firm owner for the first time shortly before the pandemic struck for his breaches of the accounts rules.
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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