Latest news
Legal Services Act with us for “one or two decades” more, LSB chief says
It is “highly over-optimistic” to think the Legal Services Act will be reformed or replaced by the government in the next couple of years, the chief executive of the Legal Services Board has warned.
Belsner faces £130k costs payment but Checkmylegalfees “has a future”
The Court of Appeal has signalled the possibility of a non-party costs order in the Belsner case after ordering the claimant to make an interim costs payment of £130,000.
High Court rejects struck-off solicitor’s bid to return to roll
The High Court has rejected an appeal from a struck-off solicitor whose application to be restored to the roll was refused by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal earlier this year.
Ince sells loss-making corporate adviser seven months after buying it
The Ince Group is to sell the corporate adviser and stockbroker it only bought in April for a £7m loss as it seeks to focus on its core legal business.
KPMG adds £5m payout to £3m fine over conduct of Quindell audit
Big Four accountant KPMG has paid £5m to settle a claim brought by what used to be called Quindell over its audit of the one-time alternative business structure.
Identity of those instructing solicitors not protected by litigation privilege
There is no general rule that the identity of those instructing solicitors on behalf of a corporate client is protected by litigation privilege, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
“Honorable” solicitor and practice manager fined for misusing legal aid cash
A law firm owner and his practice manager have both been fined for mismanaging legal aid funds, although a tribunal found they were “honourably motivated”.
Solicitors “coercing” hospital patients into signing legal papers
Solicitors have been accused of visiting vulnerable patients in hospital wards in Leeds and “coercing” them into signing legal documents.
SRA bid for maximum £805,000 fine for solicitors “excessive and unjustified”
SRA plans to double the upper limit on fines for law firms to 5% of turnover and to £805,000 for individuals are “excessive and unjustified”, the Law Society has argued.
Complaints to SRA can constitute acts of stalking, Court of Appeal rules
Complaints to a lawyer’s employer and professional regulator can amount to acts of stalking, the Court of Appeal has ruled in a case where a senior government lawyer was targeted.
Blog
The growing importance of higher limits in personal ATE
While the personal litigation market is undergoing a period of significant change as claims become more complex, much of the ATE insurance market has remained relatively static.
The profession can play a greater role in improving access to justice
In this, the third blog of my series, I focus on what lawyers in the UK can do to improve access to justice through greater professional stewardship.
Does AI work for conveyancers? We asked those on the front line
What is the view on AI from conveyancers themselves? Based on a Dye & Durham’s roundtable discussion on AI, the answer is: it depends.
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