Latest news
Legal regulators “need to do more” in dealing with SLAPPs
Legal regulators need to do more to deal with SLAPPs – strategic lawsuits against public participation – because they are undermining the profession’s reputation, a report has argued.
“Ground down” veteran barrister fined for direct access offences
A veteran barrister has been fined £4,250 by a Bar disciplinary tribunal for carrying out litigation without authorisation and handling client money on behalf of a direct access client.
Cost of living crisis driving non-tariff OIC claims as “wristlash” emerges
The cost of living crisis is driving many of the non-tariff claims made through the Official Injury Claim portal, with “wristlash and hiplash” replacing whiplash, defendant lawyers have claimed.
Multi-party data access project is “legal sector world first”
LawtechUK has heralded a “legal sector world first”, after a nine-week ‘proof of concept’ project on multi-party data access involving City law firms, Vodafone and the SRA.
Law Society: Covid boosted finances – and firms’ willingness to change
The pandemic has taught many small and medium-sized law firms about the benefits of delivering services that suit their clients, rather than themselves, Law Society research has found.
Law firm receptionist fired for being pregnant awarded £23,500
A receptionist fired by a law firm because she was having a difficult pregnancy and taking time off work has been awarded compensation of £23,500 by an employment tribunal.
High Court throws out negligence claim over MMR vaccine advice
The potential negligence of a QC and high-profile law firm to advise a client on limitation was irrelevant as the underlying claim would not have succeeded anyway, the High Court has ruled.
Conveyancing firms “must apply” for PII two months before deadline
Firms of licensed conveyancers will have to apply for professional indemnity insurance two months ahead of the renewal deadline and in return will receive a response within four weeks.
Large number of firms eyeing private equity, survey says
Many law firms are actively considering taking private equity investment in order to expand, with those outside London especially keen, according to new research.
Court rejects summary judgment bid in £6m solicitor fraud case
The High Court has thrown out as an abuse of process an application for summary judgment brought by victims of a solicitor’s fraud suing his firm’s insurer for £6m.
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”.
