Latest news
High Court: Ex-City solicitor failed to return $25m fund to Saudi princess
A former City solicitor was wrong not to return to a Saudi princess a $25m fund he had been managing for her over several years, the High Court has ruled.
Licensed conveyancer firms face tougher rules on diversity
Law firms regulated by Council for Licensed Conveyancers face new rules designed to make sure they deliver data on staff diversity and report complaints of discrimination and harassment.
High Court criticises SDT for “sweeping anonymity orders”
The High Court has criticised the SDT for taking it upon itself to issue “sweeping anonymity orders” in respect of all the third parties in a case about a solicitor’s social media posts.
Defendant DBAs are unlawful, Court of Appeal rules
An agreement that a defendant will pay their solicitors a percentage of any sums they successfully resist having to pay the claimant is unlawful and unenforceable, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Solicitor’s “oversight” saw £68,000 paid to conveyancing fraudster
A law firm owner who fell victim to a conveyancing fraud and transferred £68,000 to a bank account without checking the details has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
LawtechUK launches ‘regulatory pathfinding’ programme
A ‘regulatory pathfinding’ programme to help more lawtech companies “navigate the regulatory environment” has been launched by Lawtech UK.
Scottish firm targets major expansion after first English acquisition
An ambitious Scottish law firm has made its first move south of the border by acquiring a large conveyancing business as it looks to rapidly build a full-service offering in England.
Frenkel Topping raises £10m to boost injury market consolidation
Frenkel Topping – the listed business building a full-service offering to personal injury and clinical negligence claimants short of actual legal advice – is raising £10m to fund further acquisitions.
New litigation funder targets “niche within a niche”
A litigation funder launched this week with £25m backing from a US private equity firm is targeting what a “niche within a niche” – cases worth up to £1m in the Midlands and the North.
Barrister settles whistleblower claim against Foreign Office for £423k
A barrister who raised concerns of serious corruption while working for the Foreign Office in Kosovo has settled her employment tribunal claim for £423,000.
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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