Latest news
High Court rejects attempt to block claims against lawyers
The High Court has refused to make an order to prevent future claims on a law firm’s fees that claimants may argue came from stolen funds.
Trust in English solicitor “no reason to ignore” Scottish appeal routes
The Court of Appeal has refused to hear an appeal from the Upper Tribunal Tribunal in Glasgow which would have allowed the appellant to keep using his English solicitor.
Major report: Time for targets, not talk, to improve race equality at Bar
The time for talking about race inequality at the Bar is over and all organisations with a stake in the profession should set specific targets for improvement, a major Bar Council report has concluded.
Carr: Improving diversity of SDT panels a priority
Improving the diversity of those who sit in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal is “front and centre” of a major recruitment drive, according to the Court of Appeal judge overseeing the process.
Toning down the theatrics: Barristers “less aggressive” in remote hearings
A significant number of expert witnesses who have been appeared in court remotely over the past 18 months say barristers have been “less aggressive” in their cross-examination.
Conveyancers introduce ‘polluter pays’ for cost of Legal Ombudsman
Licensed conveyancers who generate complaints referred to the Legal Ombudsman will have to shoulder more of its cost than those who do not, after the change won approval.
Solicitors must “redouble” pro bono efforts in face of increased inequality
Lawyers must “redouble” their efforts to provide pro bono legal advice because the pandemic had led to “increased inequality”, the London Solicitors Litigation Association has said.
Solicitor struck off for misleading client about settlement
A solicitor has been struck off after telling a client that her case was ongoing when it had actually settled and using some of the money to pay other clients damages they were not entitled to.
Civil justice system “in desperate need of modernisation”
The civil justice system and some areas of the law in England and Wales are “in desperate need of modernisation”, a report by the Social Market Foundation has found.
High Court refuses new medical evidence for ex-solicitor’s strike-off appeal
The High Court has rejected a solicitor’s bid to introduce new expert evidence about his mental state as part of his appeal against being struck off earlier this year.
Blog
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
Linklaters’ chief growth officer takes the ‘blank sheet’ challenge
In the third and final part of this series, Lucy Murphy, chief growth officer at magic circle firm Linklaters, outlines her vision for the law firm of the future.
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge, part 2 – what would you do differently?
In the second part of this blog series, Shainul Kassam, managing director of small London firm Fortune Law, sets out how she would set up a law firm now.
