Latest news
In-house lawyers “most concerned by economic instability”
In-house lawyers based in the UK are more concerned by the risk of economic instability than colleagues in other parts of the world, a large-scale global study has found.
Call to name courts with biggest backlogs
The Ministry of Justice must publish data on the backlogs of individual criminal courts, a group that campaigns to improve public data has said.
CA rejects limitation defence to negligence claim against law firm
A man who learnt that his lower leg needed amputating seven years after settling his personal injury claim is not prevented by limitation from suing his lawyers for negligence.
Bar Council chair ratchets up rhetoric over eco-barristers
The public argument over the cab-rank rule looks set to rumble on after the Bar Council chair ratcheted up his criticism of barristers refusing to act against eco-causes.
English law experience “not required” to qualify as solicitor
Candidates for the qualifying work experience component of the new solicitor’s qualification process will not have to gain it in an English law jurisdiction, it has emerged.
Court “wrong” to strike out small claim where party was absent but represented
The lower courts were wrong to strike out a small claim where the claimant failed to attend the trial personally but was represented by a lawyer, the Court of Appeal has held.
Lawyers’ eco-declaration sparks cab-rank rule row
A row about the cab-rank rule blew up today after barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies self-reported themselves to the BSB.
SRA in-house lawyer review fails to recognise “severity of risks”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority does not appear to recognise the “severity of the risks” facing in-house lawyers indicated by its own research, a group of senior practitioners has warned.
Completion of court modernisation programme pushed back again
Completion of the court modernisation programme has been pushed back again, this time to March 2024, it has emerged – in a blog, rather than a Ministry of Justice annoucement.
Compulsory family mediation “will reduce demand for law firms”
Plans to make mediation mandatory before a separating couple can go to court is likely to reduce demand for legal services providers, the Ministry of Justice said yesterday.
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
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