Latest news
LeO delays publishing decisions until it achieves “operational stability”
The Legal Ombudsman will publish its decisions in full, but not until “operational stability” has been achieved, it has emerged.
“Overworked” barrister partner disbarred over Trump case dishonesty
A “high-flying” barrister partner at a City law firm who fabricated a court order was unable to cope with her workload but this did not excuse her misconduct, a Bar tribunal has found.
Male barrister reprimanded for “hysterical woman” jibe at lawyer
A male barrister has been reprimanded for describing his opponent’s instructing lawyer as a “hysterical woman” and female lawyers more generally as intemperate.
Judge’s despair at solicitors acting “like schoolchildren in the playground”
The High Court has expressed its despair at solicitors conducting litigation “like schoolchildren in the playground”, as well as “pernicious” growth of satellite costs disputes.
“First collaborative conveyancing service” goes live
A pilot version of what its solicitor co-founder describes as the “first collaborative conveyancing service” has gone live. Eddie Goldsmith said it was about letting conveyancers “get on with the legal work”.
Report: Legal advice agencies facing £17.5m funding gap
Not-for-profit legal advice providers are facing a £17.5m funding deficit in the next financial year, according to research by the Access to Justice Foundation.
Law firm ordered to pay ex-employee £8,500 over racial harassment
A law firm has been ordered to pay a former staff member £8,500 in damages after finding that a colleague’s remark on her grandmother’s Chinese heritage amounted to racial harassment.
SRA warns law firms over “wholly unreasonable workloads”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned law firms that imposing “wholly unreasonable workloads or targets” on staff could result in disciplinary action.
Bar chief: LSB competence push “risks infringing Legal Services Act”
The chair of the Bar Council has warned the Legal Services Board that it risks infringing the Legal Services Act if it demands that regulators impose new competence regimes without sufficient evidence.
Law students concerned by “low” SQE pass rate
The pass rate of 53% achieved by the first group of candidates to sit part one of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam is viewed as “low” by students, an SQE training provider has said.
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?
