Latest news
DBA client admits allegations against law firm were to get out of paying
A client who went to the Court of Appeal to challenge the damages-based agreement she signed has admitted she alleged impropriety against her solicitors purely to escape payment.
Shakespeare Martineau unveils merger as ‘house of brands’ strategy ramps up
The next step in the growth of legal professional services group Ampa has seen its main law firm member, Shakespeare Martineau, move into Bristol by merging with GL Law.
“Reprehensible” clients ordered to pay ex-solicitors indemnity costs
The Court of Appeal has awarded indemnity costs against a couple who owe their former solicitors over £3m in outstanding legal fees and were committed to prison last year.
Courts send different messages to lawyers over witness statements
The strengthened rules on witness statements should not be used as a “weapon with which to fillet” essentially insignificant failures to comply, a High Court judge has said.
Whiplash reforms “a cautious success”, MoJ chief says
The government considers the Official Injury Claim portal – about to celebrate its first birthday – to be a “cautious success”, a senior official at the Ministry of Justice said yesterday.
“Long haul to recover” – BSB counts cost of cyber-attack
A malicious cyber-attack on the Bar Standards Board a month ago – for the fourth time in a year – has proved “catastrophic” for the regulator, a meeting of its governing board heard yesterday.
Supreme Court maintains SRA costs protection for failed prosecutions
The Supreme Court has upheld the principle that costs should only be awarded against the Solicitors Regulation Authority in unsuccessful prosecutions where there is good reason to do so.
First VW emissions group claim settles for £193m plus costs
The Volkswagen NOx emissions group litigation settled yesterday for £193m – some £2,120 for each of the 91,000 claimants, but more like £3,000 when costs and other fees are added.
“Money will never be a bar to acting” – Good Law Project sets up ABS
Not-for-profit campaign organisation Good Law Project will next month open a “law firm for the public good” to help run public law and social welfare cases.
Rebuke for partner who took trainee to strip club
A male City partner who added to a female trainee’s discomfort at being taken to a strip club during a work event by putting his arm around her waist has been rebuked.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
