Latest news
Convictions for peaceful protests “should not lead to regulatory action”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is unlikely to take action against solicitors convicted in exercising their right to protest where no significant harm has been caused, it said yesterday.
Time taken to get civil cases to trial reaches all-time high
The time between issue and trial for fast- and multi-track claims has hit 75 weeks, the longest this century, according to government figures published yesterday.
ICO probes court staff instruction to report striking barristers to Raab
The Information Commissioner’s Office has begun investigating concerns that the Ministry of Justice was unlawfully processing the personal data of striking barristers.
Listed MDP that started life as law firm raises £9.2m to fund growth
A listed multi-disciplinary business supporting the asset management industry – which started life as a law firm – has raised £9.2m from a placing and retail offer.
SRA lays out when it would act over sexual misconduct outside practice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has today made clear that it can and will take action over sexual misconduct which happens entirely outside of a solicitor’s practice.
Male partner who “harassed” junior female colleague agrees to come off roll
A solicitor who made “inappropriate” comments to a junior colleague has avoided the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal by agreeing to remove himself from the roll for at least three years.
Up to 70% of land register updates to be automated by 2025
Up to seven out of ten updates to the land register will be automated by March 2025, HM Land Registry has predicted, as it pledged to promote “a secure and inclusive digital system of conveyancing”.
Law Society “could support” in-house alternative to SIF
The Law Society has “no objection in principle” to the Solicitors Indemnity Fund being replaced by an in-house alternative run by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
CILEX private client firm becomes first to transfer to SRA
A private client firm in Norwich has become the first to transfer regulator from CILEX Regulation to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Decisions to suspend solicitors “should stay public” for extra three years
Decisions to suspend solicitors should stay in the public domain for three years after they return to work, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has argued.
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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