Latest news
Digital ID tools “do not breach legal services regulation”
Solicitors should not view digital identity verification as a second-best option after traditional manual checks, according to a joint statement by LawtechUK and the legal regulators.
Barrister sanctioned for “offensive” Muslim tweet wins appeal
A Bar Standards Board panel applied too low a threshold in sanctioning a barrister for a tweet about Muslims that it said would cause offence, a tribunal has ruled.
Law firm unfairly dismissed assistant solicitor absent due to cancer
A law firm unfairly dismissed an assistant solicitor who was recovering from cancer, an employment tribunal has ruled. It was also found guilty of disability discrimination.
Knights replaces shares with cash for acquisition after price crash
The collapse in listed consolidator Knights’ share price last week has led to cash replacing shares as part of the consideration for its most recent acquisition.
Standard cyber-security form to aid solicitors instructing barristers
A standardised form for solicitors to assess the cyber-security arrangements of chambers they instruct has been launched by the Law Society and Bar Council.
The SRA’s first ABS – still going strong, 10 years on
Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the first alternative business structure licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and the firm is still going strong.
Chambers gives returning parents a 12-month payment holiday
A London chambers has decided to give barristers returning from parental leave a year’s holiday from making any payments in terms of rent or other contributions and expenses.
Legal Ombudsman budget to top £15m after 5.8% increase approval
The Legal Services Board has approved a 5.8% increase in the budget of the Legal Ombudsman for the coming year, amounting to an extra £850,000 cost levied on the profession.
City firms urged to agree common approach to social mobility
City law firms need get on with agreeing a common approach to measure social mobility in their recruitment processes, a roundtable has heard from a former MP and solicitor.
Lockdown conveyancing redundancy was genuine, tribunal rules
A redundancy exercise run by a law firm in its conveyancing department following the first lockdown in 2020 was genuine, an employment tribunal has ruled in dismissing an unfair dismissal claim.
Blog
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
The Decent Homes Standard scandal
It is well established that the UK has the highest proportion of inadequate housing in all of Europe. But what if the heart of the problem is even worse than we think?
