Latest news
All-digital trial sounds death knell for paper-based conveyancing
A project to build a digital settlement prototype that speeds up payments in conveyancing by linking banks, conveyancers and HM Land Registry has ended successfully.
CILEX can press ahead with talking to SRA about switching regulator
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has the power, in principle, to change its regulator to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Legal Services Board has decided.
SDT rejects US firm’s “astonishing” bid to see ex-trainee’s evidence
The SDT has dismissed as “astonishing” arguments put by a US law firm to see all the evidence in the prosecution of a former trainee solicitor before its witnesses give evidence.
Law Society: Climate change a “valid” reason to reject clients
Climate-related issues may be “valid considerations” for law firms in deciding whether to act for potential clients, the Law Society has said.
Major project to examine legal ethics after the Post Office scandal
A three-year project to understand the ethical problems that arose for lawyers involved in the Post Office scandal, and how they can be avoided in future, has been launched.
Strike-off for solicitor who kept charity in dark while overcharging estate
A solicitor who overcharged a deceased client’s estate by £35,000 and sold his house to a company owned by a trust of which she was a beneficiary has been struck off.
Top judge asks: Why don’t litigators know how much a case will cost?
Litigators should know how much any case is going to cost before they even begin the process of budgeting, Sir Colin Birss, the deputy head of civil justice, has argued.
SDT “went easy” on solicitor who tried to trick farmer out of tenancy
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was wrong to find that an agricultural law solicitor who used a ‘common’ ruse to trick an opponent was not dishonest.
Judge’s “dismay” at conduct of High Court claim
A High Court judge has expressed her “dismay” that there was no pre-trial review in a case that was discontinued on day four of a trial that had been listed several months earlier.
Big fine for solicitor’s sexual harassment “a clear message”, says SDT
A male City solicitor who sexually harassed a female solicitor at a work event has been fined £30,000 in what a tribunal said was a “clear message” that such behaviour is “completely unacceptable”.
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
