Latest news
Law firm unfairly dismissed “homophobic” secretary
A law firm unfairly dismissed a legal secretary who made homophobic comments because of how it ran the disciplinary process, an employment tribunal has ruled.
LeO wins approval for 9.6% increase in budget to £16.8m
An “inflationary” 9.6% increase in the Legal Ombudsman’s budget for 2023-24, to £16.8m, has been approved by the Legal Services Board.
Barrister awarded £136,000 for CPS disability discrimination
A disabled former senior prosecutor has been awarded damages of nearly £136,000 for discrimination suffered at the hands of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Minster and NAHL results highlight changing shape of PI market
Just 12 law firms are responsible for 83% of claims lodged with the OIC portal as its impact on reshaping the personal injury market is laid clear by the results of leading practices.
Solicitor-turned-barrister rebuked for offensive email
A solicitor-turned-barrister has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for sending an offensive email that wished harm or even death on its recipients.
Corporate work to drive legal market growth in 2023
The legal services market should see a year of steady growth in 2023, with corporate law the main driver, and family law and probate demand also strong, new research has predicted.
Reserved activities set to stay as they are for now
A full review of the reserved legal activities is not justified at the moment without a “fundamental” reappraisal of the Legal Services Act too, the Legal Services Board has concluded.
Trust business launches ABS for own and other law firms’ work
A company which specialises in trust work has launched an alternative business structure to handle both its own work and instructions from other law firms.
Conveyancers fined £33,000 for complaints and accounts breaches
A large firm of licensed conveyancers and its senior partners have been reprimanded and fined £33,000 after a Covid-related work surge overwhelmed its ability to handle complaints.
Solicitor ordered to pay costs after failed unfair dismissal claim
A solicitor has been ordered to pay costs for his conduct of a failed employment tribunal claim against his former law firm.
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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