Latest news
Motorhomes, car engines and gambling – now group sets up ABS
A diverse group of companies that includes motorhome hire and online gambling now has an alternative business structure in its ranks that aims to digitise the probate process.
Collective redress lawyers join forces amid calls for reform
Calls for long- and short-term reform to the group action regime yesterday marked the launch of the Collective Redress Lawyers Association, as a tribunal refused to certify two opt-out actions.
BSB scraps student aptitude test despite Bar Council opposition
The Bar Standards Board is to ditch the Bar course aptitude test as it is no longer acting as a “filter” of those likely to fail the vocational component of their training.
Smart legal contracts “need the power of the human mind”
A company specialising in the creation of smart legal contracts has argued for a substantial human component to remain to ensure that contracts are legally enforceable.
Firm’s error gave sex offender access to child’s confidential data
National law firm BLM has won a claim against a convicted sex offender it accidentally gave access to a vulnerable child’s confidential information and who then asked for money to delete it.
Legal aid work “close to being unsustainable”, new campaign warns
A new campaign for increased legal aid funding has been launched after the findings of a unique census showed the market will not be sustainable without more government action.
Lawyer-free divorce app leads spate of lawtech investments
An online service for separating couples who draft their own documents without lawyers has secured another £1.2m in funding, as we round up several significant investments in lawtech businesses.
Choose your submissions wisely, says judge in time-estimate warning
The judge in charge of the Commercial Court has complained again about inadequate time estimates, telling advocates they cannot ask judges to read authorities after the hearing as a shortcut.
Legal regulators should not be “overly risk averse” about technology
Legal regulators must not be “overly risk adverse” in supporting the use of technology, given its importance, a senior figure at the Legal Services Board has said.
BSB panel rejects complaints over barrister’s Royal baby tweets
A Bar Standards Board panel has rejected more than 80 complaints made against a barrister accused of making racist comments on Twitter about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby last year.
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”.
