Latest news
No ignoring smart contracts, say LawtechUK and Master of the Rolls
Smart contracts could plug a leak worth tens of millions of pounds from the revenues of UK companies caused by paper-based and manual contracting, an event held yesterday heard.
Court of Appeal to start again in test case on deductions from PI damages
The much-anticipated hearing in Belsner was scrapped yesterday after the Court of Appeal raised the possibility that pre-action legal work was contentious business for costs purposes.
Solicitor who sacked employee over harassment claim fails in appeal
A solicitor who sacked a member of staff after she complained he had persistently harassed her while she was off sick has lost his appeal against an unfair dismissal ruling.
Solicitors convicted of fraud ordered to repay £205,000
Two solicitors who were jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from their firm have now been ordered to pay back more than £200,000.
QC among buyers of “less itchy” vegan wigs
A QC is among the first buyers of a new hemp wig, made without the traditional horse hair and developed by a vegan barrister, as the debate over whether wigs should be compulsory has heated up.
“Reckless” solicitor fined for role in scheme offering 1,000% return
A veteran solicitor who provided banking facilities through his client account for a scheme promising investors a 1,000% return has been fined.
Aged debt and more write-offs – larger law firms count cost of Covid
The vast majority of larger UK law firms have been hit by delays in settling clients’ bills since the pandemic began, with 73% increasing billing write-offs, a report has found.
Watchdog clears legal app over using ‘shyster’ in TV advert
The Advertising Standards Authority has rejected a complaint about a TV advert for legal support app Legal Utopia using the word “shyster”.
Mishcon takes next step in IPO plan by naming independent directors
Four experienced non-executive directors have been added to the board of Mishcon de Reya Group PLC as part of its continued preparations for going public.
Employment law platform targets DIY market with £500 service
An employment law platform is targeting the growing number of people bringing their own tribunal claims with a DIY service which helps them through the process at a cost of no more than £500.
Blog
A letter from the SRA? Your first reaction matters
An email from the SRA has a way of rearranging a working day. It arrives in the same inbox as everything else, often in the same measured tone, yet it carries a different weight.
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.
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