Latest news
Courts returning “large number” of claims forms for ex-OIC cases
A large number of claim forms prepared by personal injury solicitors in claims exiting the Official Injury Claim portal are being returned because of errors, it has emerged.
Female GCs “more likely to coach and mentor” than men
Female general counsel are more likely to coach, mentor and develop their direct reports than male GCs, new research has found. Men placed a higher focus on collaborative working than women.
PI firm fails to exclude defendant solicitors’ data on its claims record
The High Court has rejected a claimant personal injury firm’s objection to witness statements from the opposing solicitors that suggest it may be engaging in fraud.
Solicitors facing ethical disclosure decisions “need more SRA help”
The SRA’s guidance on disclosing confidential information “inappropriately discourages” lawyers from reporting serious misconduct and risks of harm, it has been claimed.
Estate agents boss tells conveyancers to charge more
Conveyancers should charge more – or not pay referral fees – so they can reduce their workload and improve transaction times, the head of an estate agents body has argued.
Solicitor struck off after tribunal refuses to go behind US plea deal
A solicitor convicted in the US of conspiracy to commit securities fraud has been struck off after a tribunal refused his attempt to explain why he signed a plea deal.
Law firms looking to be bought “do not have the value they think”
Many law firms looking to be bought do not have the value they like to think they have, while multiples used to set the price are beginning to fall, leading advisers have warned.
Solicitor struck off for misusing client money and unauthorised practice
A veteran solicitor who used client money to alleviate his firm’s financial problems and also misled his insurer that he was authorised to practise when he no longer was, has been struck off.
Barrister who misused gift aid overpayment from charity disbarred
A barrister convicted of dishonestly retaining a mistaken £240,000 overpayment of gift aid to his charity has now been disbarred as well.
Shiner faces two-year wait for trial on cold-calling fraud charges
Disgraced human rights lawyer Phil Shiner will have to wait nearly two years for his trial on four allegations of fraud, the Crown Court said on Friday.
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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