Latest news
Judge right to consider “mystery” of who was funding law firm
A judge who had “no information at all” as to how the defence of a dormant law firm was being funded was right not to ignore the issue, appeal judges have ruled.
Expert witnesses “prefer preparing in-person for virtual hearings”
Expert witnesses prefer to travel to prepare themselves for a trial in person with their legal teams even when the trial itself is to be conducted remotely, a report has found.
Solicitor faces SRA probe over Taliban tweet
The solicitor for the family of Shamima Begum was at the centre of a social media storm yesterday over a tweet about the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan.
Fast-growing virtual legal business launches global trade mark service
A virtual legal business based in the UK has launched what it believes to be the first global trade mark search, registration and watching service entirely run by lawyers.
Start-ups boosted by £1.2m investment and top judge hire
PocketLaw, a start-up aiming to provide a one-stop shop for the legal needs of SMEs, has secured further funding of £1.2m, while an online divorce service has named a top judge as an advisor.
Law firm and funder win fees claim after terminating retainer
A law firm and a litigation funder were entitled to end their retainers with a couple suing their former solicitors and should have their costs of £75,000, the High Court has ruled.
Lawyers “must contact NCA immediately” before disclosing SARs
Lawyers compelled by the CPR or court order to reveal the contents or existence of suspicious activity reports must contact the National Crime Agency at the “first opportunity”, the Home Office has said.
Dispersed firm aims for 1,000 consultant lawyers in next five years
Leading ‘dispersed’ law firm Setfords has set itself the target of having more than 1,000 consultant lawyers on its platform in the next five years.
Regulators forced to self-finance compensation funds
Two of the smaller legal regulators are having to self-finance their compensation funds after their insurer stopped providing cover, reducing the potential payouts as a result.
Solicitor finally faces disciplinary tribunal after 2015 rape conviction
A senior solicitor convicted more than six years ago of raping a teenager is finally facing the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, it emerged yesterday.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
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.
