Latest news
Large PI firm sold in latest post-reform consolidation move
The consolidation of the personal injury market following the whiplash reforms has continued in the North-West with leading firm Express Solicitors acquiring Michael W Halsall.
SRA fines overhaul “of grave concern” to solicitors
There is “much” in how the Solicitors Regulation Authority will implement changes to its fines regime which “should be of grave concern to the profession”, Birmingham Law Society has warned.
Ministry of Justice “reinforced negative race stereotypes” with advert
The Ministry of Justice reinforced “negative stereotypes about black men” in an advertisement for prison officers, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled.
Knights partner fined after assault and drink-drive convictions
A partner at listed law firm Knights convicted of assault by beating and separately drink driving has been fined £1,700 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Separating couples should “try almost anything” before going to court
Separating couples should “try almost anything” before turning to the courts, the president of the Family Division has said, arguing that there has “got to be a better way” to resolve child disputes in particular.
Ex-solicitor siblings fail in High Court appeal against strike-offs
A sister and brother struck off as solicitors for their role in dubious investment schemes have failed in their appeal to the High Court.
Chambers “do not know money laundering status of barristers”
A significant number of chambers do not know whether their barristers have declared that they are subject to the money laundering regulations, the Bar Standards Board has warned.
MPs call for single portal for public access to courts
HMCTS should develop a single digital portal where the public and media can access “full information on court proceedings, court documents and any other relevant information”, MPs said today.
Workload-sharing app seeks to boost lawyers’ job satisfaction
An app designed to lift pressure on lawyers burdened by heavy workloads, improving wellbeing and reducing expensive recruitment, has arrived in the UK from Scandinavia.
SRA refers firms handling matters worth £149m to crime agency
The Solicitors Regulation Authority made 20 suspicious activity reports to the National Crime Agency in the past year, relating to solicitors handling £149m of potentially criminal funds.
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.
Reports
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