Latest news
Standardised NDA goes live with plan to develop further ‘modules’
A standard non-disclosure agreement for use when beginning negotiations over corporate transactions has gone live with the aim of having 1,000 organisations commit to its use.
Law firm’s pupillage offer to tetraplegic student “not a publicity stunt”
An employment tribunal has firmly rejected a tetraplegic law student’s claim that he was offered a pupillage by a well-known law firm so it could benefit from positive publicity.
Civil Justice Council pushes ahead with guideline hourly rates changes
The Civil Justice Council working group charged with reviewing the guideline hourly rates has doubled down on its interim recommendations following consultation.
BTAS rejects calls to soften sanctions for ‘low level’ sexual misconduct
The Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service has rejected the argument that a starting point of 12 months’ suspension for sexual misconduct is too much for some less serious types of behaviour.
Evaluation of flexible court hours stresses need to get lawyers onboard
Flexible operating hours can make it easier for people to access civil and family justice, but there needs to a lot more work to bring solicitors and barristers on board, research has said.
Fee-share law firm eyes major domestic and international expansion
A consultant-led law firm has tripled the number of its lawyers in the UK to 90 during the pandemic and opened hubs in Exeter and Dubai as it targets rapid domestic and international expansion.
SDT chief defends role in policing solicitors’ personal conduct
It is “impossible for solicitors to leave their practising certificates at home completely” when it comes to behaviour in their personal lives, the president of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has said.
High Court warns uncooperative parties against “litigation warfare”
A High Court judge has warned against “litigation warfare” as he pleaded with the parties in a construction dispute to co-operate in the face of spiralling costs.
Law Society: Solicitors must not use AI without clients’ consent
Clients should be put at the heart of legal technology by law firms, including being asked for consent before artificial intelligence is deployed, solicitors have been told.
Experienced PA wins constructive dismissal claim against law firm
A litigation PA who worked for a Kent law firm for 25 years has won her claim for constructive unfair dismissal over the “thoughtless and high-handed” way it moved her to the conveyancing department.
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.
