Latest news
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.
Sceptical crime lawyers lambast Raab’s plan to “extend” higher rights
Lawyers have reacted with scepticism at the suggestion that Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab wants to “extend” higher rights of audience to more criminal defence solicitors.
High Court strikes out LiP’s “vexatious” fraud claim against solicitor
The High Court has struck out a “vexatious” and “abusive” fraud claim by a litigant in person, seeking £160,000 in damages from a solicitor over a 17-year-old property dispute.
“Little evidence” of discrimination or harassment on Bar courses
There is little evidence of bullying, discrimination and harassment on Bar training courses, students have reported as part of research into equality and diversity at the vocational stage of training.
SRA set to curb litigators’ use of ‘private and confidential’ letters
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to issue guidance on when litigators are allowed to label letters as ‘private and confidential’ and/or ‘without prejudice’.
Panel warns on impact of “seismic” change to complaint time-limits
The “seismic shift” in time limits to complain to the Legal Ombudsman will require close monitoring to ensure that consumers do not lose out.
Blog
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
The Decent Homes Standard scandal
It is well established that the UK has the highest proportion of inadequate housing in all of Europe. But what if the heart of the problem is even worse than we think?
