Latest news
SRA sets out fee caps for financial mis-selling claims
The SRA has set out the fee caps it is planning to impose to prevent law firms handling financial product or services mis-selling claims from charging “excessive” fees.
Irwin Mitchell contact centre worker pretended to be lawyer
A contact-centre worker at Irwin Mitchell, who led another law firm to believe she was acting in an employment matter against its client, has been banned from working for law firms.
Metamorph closures have cost profession £1.4m so far
The closure of 16 offices of the Metamorph Group by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has so far cost the profession £1.4m, it has emerged.
Bolt-ons and regional deal buck quiet M&A market
Merger and acquisition activity has been slow in the first quarter of 2023, but there have been niche bolt-ons, a Kent merger and a chambers merger too.
Lawyers face enhanced risk in “grim” AI-fuelled crime outlook
Lawyers and others face a future in which criminals can use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to enhance their ability to commit fraud, Europol has warned.
Legal Services Board pushes back on claim it is overreaching
The Legal Services Board has firmly rebuffed suggestions that it is guilty of ‘overreach’ in doing more than just overseeing the performance of the frontline regulators.
SRA acknowledges need to speed up investigations into solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is introducing tougher targets for its investigators in a bid to reduce delays in processing complaints about solicitors.
Remote hearings have “no impact” on outcomes of Crown Court cases
Judges and lawyers can be reassured that holding Crown Court hearings and trials remotely makes no difference to the outcome, a major analysis has concluded.
BSB “assessing” self-reports from barristers over cab-rank rule defiance
The Bar Standards Board said last night that it was assessing self-reports from barristers who say they will defy the cab-rank rule – but experts predict it will not take action until they do.
Non-lawyers banned for taking money and forging signatures
Two non-lawyers who between them misappropriated £1m from their respective law firms’ bank accounts have been banned from working in the profession.
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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