Latest news
Mergers, administration and a new firm – legal market stays active
Merger talks announced earlier this year between Ward Hadaway and The Endeavour Partnership have proven successful as we round up recent market developments.
“Too soon” for struck-off solicitor to apply for return to roll
A struck-off solicitor who has not paid the Solicitors Regulation Authority nearly £65,000 in outstanding costs from his disciplinary hearing cannot return to the roll.
Birss criticises “Balkanised” civil justice procedure
Lord Justice Birss, the outgoing deputy head of civil justice, has spoken out at what he called the “heavily Balkanised” civil justice process in England and Wales.
CLC issues warning not to slack off on post-completion work
The term ‘post-completion’ can encourage conveyancers to see applications to HM Land Registry as an afterthought, especially as they are done after collecting the fee, the CLC has warned.
Panel backs making law firms tell clients how to complain at end of cases
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has come out strongly in favour of law firms telling clients how to complain at the end of a matter as well as the beginning.
Lawyers using AI law firm to recover their debts
Other solicitors are using the first regulated law firm based entirely on artificial intelligence to collect their own debts, it has emerged.
Solicitor settled employment claim without asking client
A solicitor with mental health issues who settled an employment tribunal claim without consulting her client has been struck off.
Solicitors should advise clients “more clearly” on judgment embargos
The High Court has told solicitors to set out the terms of judgment embargos clearly to their clients after a case where the client misunderstood the meaning of ‘parties’.
Far more spent on legal fees at CAT than expected, says government
Opt-out collective actions have seen hundreds of millions of pounds spent on legal fees, far more than was expected when they were introduced a decade ago, the government said yesterday.
Case fee already reducing FOS complaints brought by law firms
The new case fee for complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service brought by law firms and claims management companies is already having an effect, it said today.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
