Latest news
Solicitor struck off after stringing along immigration clients for years
A solicitor who strung along two clients for several years that he had applied for their indefinite leave to remain in the UK when he had not has been struck off.
Simpson Millar insists it’s now on the right track as losses mount
Private equity owned law firm Simpson Millar has claimed it is now on the right track despite its 2021 accounts revealing a loss of £7.8m, taking losses to £28m since Doorway Capital took control.
Foreign lawyer was duped by suspected fraudster to front firm
A registered foreign lawyer has been suspended for 18 months after being duped to front a law firm where likely fraudulent conveyancing transactions took place behind his back.
Record number of women apply for silk as 95 KCs are appointed
Some 94 barristers and one solicitor made up the first cohort of King’s Counsel in more than seven decades, announced just before Christmas, the smallest number in 10 years.
Supreme Court: Law firm waived equitable lien with new retainer
A law firm waived its equitable lien when it replaced its original retainer with a fixed-fee agreement (FFA) and deed of charge over the client’s assets, the Supreme Court has ruled.
Slater & Gordon accepts £82k fine for Quindell system failures
Slater & Gordon has accepted a fine of nearly £82,000 for historic shortcomings in the legal services business it acquired from Quindell.
Pupil who ripped off others’ work was suffering from mental illness
The pupil barrister who passed off other people’s work as his own on three occasions avoided disbarment because he was suffering from a serious mental illness exacerbated by lockdown.
Geographical expansion to fore in latest law firm M&A rush
It’s been a busy couple of months for merger and acquisition activity in England and Wales, with firms expanding their geographical footprint a notable trend.
Framework creates “common language” for property transactions
A set of tech tools designed to create a “common language” for property transactions has been launched by the Home Buying and Selling Group. It is being trialled by 10 law firms.
Law firms “leading the charge” on diversity among professions
Lawyers are “leading the charge” among professional services firms when it comes to diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, a report has found.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
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