Latest news
Vos issues stern warning to chambers and law firms about embargoes
The Court of Appeal has issued a stern warning about breaking embargoes on judgments after a leading chambers accidentally issued a press release a day before the ruling was handed down.
SDT’s ‘miscarriage of justice’ concern over higher SRA fining power
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has called for any new internal fining powers for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to be limited to £7,000, rather than the proposed £25,000.
Gender make-up of legal profession to change more quickly
The change in demographics of the legal profession is only set to speed up, with men now making up just 31% of applicants for undergraduate law courses, according to figures from UCAS.
Barristers plan ground-breaking transparency over income and caseloads
One of the country’s largest chambers is planning to be the first to publish details of barristers’ incomes and caseloads, which would enable comparisons to be made based on gender and ethnicity.
Law Society and consumer panel join forces to oppose SIF closure
The Law Society and Legal Services Consumer Panel have joined forces to oppose the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s plan to close the Solicitors Indemnity Fund.
Electronic signatures “largest area of change” for property industry
The use of electronic signatures has been the “single largest area of change” in technology for the property industry over the past 18 months, a survey has found.
Returning instructions a “last resort”, Bar Council tells criminal barristers
Criminal defence barristers should recognise that returning instructions where they are not under a professional duty to do so “should always be a last resort”, the Bar Council has said.
Green law firm pledges 10% of fees to environmental causes
A new specialist tree damage claims law firm will donate 10% of the fees on a matter to a carbon or biodiversity credit scheme so as to offset the carbon produced in handling it.
MoJ bids to help consumers better understand whiplash portal
The Ministry of Justice has published a simplified guide to using the Official Injury Claim portal in the wake of a low take-up by litigants in person. But there are still big obstacles.
Revolutionary Australian conveyancing platform to launch in the UK
Property Exchange Australia (PEXA), which processes 80% of conveyancing completions in Australia, has announced plans to launch in England and Wales this autumn.
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”.
