Latest news
SRA to press ahead with plan to increase fining power to £25,000
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to press ahead with plans to expand its fining powers from the current maximum of £2,000 to £25,000 and introduce fixed penalties for low-level offences.
Paper-only small claims pilot “likely to do injustice” to litigants
A pilot scheme that will see small claims cases determined on the paper in six county courts from next month is “likely to do injustice” to litigants, an academic has argued. Dr Kate Leader, senior lecturer at York University, said… Read More
Cyber-attack contributes to listed law firm’s profit warning
Share in listed law firm The Ince Group neared their lowest point ever yesterday after it issued a profit warning, in part due to the cyber-attack it announced last month.
GC fined over conflicts of interest in instructing outside firm
A former general counsel has been fined for failing to disclose his interest in instructing an external firm and his links with a solicitor he then recommended to that firm.
Lawyers bemoan lack of employer support over stress and burnout
Nine out of ten lawyers have experienced stress or burnout at some point in their professional lives but only a fifth felt supported by their firms when they did, according to new research.
LSB urges Citizens Advice-style service for small businesses
A national legal support and information service for small businesses, akin to Citizens Advice, would help bridge a “significant access to justice gap”, the Legal Services Board says today.
High-profile solicitor’s SDT fined upped because of role at tribunal
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal rejected a lower fine for high-profile solicitor Karen Todner, in part because she was the tribunal’s vice-president at the time of her misconduct.
Make legal advice available at GP surgeries and libraries, says think tank
Making legal advice available at GP surgeries, council offices, libraries and other convenient locations can help more people get more “timely” access to civil justice.
Platform firm to aid lawyers setting up side ventures
A platform law firm is offering lawyers the chance to develop related ventures, such as technology offerings, alongside their practices, with conveyancing on the blockchain the first.
Barrister convicted of sexual assault wins appeal against disbarment
A male barrister who sexually assaulted a female colleague and then asked her to lie to help him cover his tracks with his partner has won his appeal against disbarment.
Blog
Your website is losing clients before they even pick up the phone
Your website visitor is likely already carrying stress before they arrive. If your site adds to it rather than relieves it, you have likely lost a prospective client.
The growing importance of higher limits in personal ATE
While the personal litigation market is undergoing a period of significant change as claims become more complex, much of the ATE insurance market has remained relatively static.
The profession can play a greater role in improving access to justice
In this, the third blog of my series, I focus on what lawyers in the UK can do to improve access to justice through greater professional stewardship.
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