Latest news
Need for specialist IP solicitors meets new “clear and compelling” costs test
A party that needed specialist intellectual property advice was justified in using lawyers who charged significantly above the guideline hourly rates, the High Court has decided.
SRA: Expected spike in claims over dubious schemes has not happened
Solicitors’ contributions to the SRA Compensation Fund will fall next year because an anticipated spike in the level of claims arising from dubious investment schemes did not transpire.
Labour urges immediate rights extension for associate prosecutors
The Labour Party has called for the role of associate prosecutors to be expanded so as to help reduce the massive backlog in criminal cases awaiting hearings.
In-house lawyers “should add regulatory rules to employment contracts”
In-house lawyers’ regulatory responsibilities, for example the SRA principles, should be written into their employment contracts to ensure their independence, the former head of LawtechUK has argued.
The OIC effect? Number and value of motor fraud claims fall
The volume and value of motor insurance claim frauds fell last year, which also covered the first seven months of the Official Injury Claim portal.
Firm fails in bid for injunction to stop use of letter it disclosed in error
The High Court has refused a leading law firm an injunction to stop an opposing party making a use of a document it disclosed by mistake that cast doubt on an expert’s independence.
First solicitors who passed SQE set to qualify after strong results
The first solicitors to qualify via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination will enter practice next month after 77% of candidates passed the second set of assessments.
Ince completes £9.3m fund-raise as shareholder enthusiasm wanes
Listed law firm the Ince Group confirmed yesterday that it had raised £9.3m in a fund-raise needed to ward off financial problems, but there was little enthusiasm among shareholders for part of the effort.
Home secretary: Jail lawyers enabling kleptocrats
The home secretary has made clear that she wants to see lawyers and other ‘enablers’ of kleptocrats jailed for their involvement with “dirty money”.
Biggest conveyancing firms grab market share as ‘dabblers’ start to exit
The number of active conveyancing firms has begun to shrink again after last year’s boom, with the biggest practices increasing their market share, new research has found.
Blog
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
Mentoring the next generation of litigation leaders
As a female lawyer, from the North, with a state school education, I understand the value of sharing perspectives, experiences and contacts.
