Latest news
Solicitor who ignored AML rules for six years struck off
A sole practitioner has been struck off for ignoring the anti-money laundering rules for six years and also showing a “complete disregard” for residual client balances.
Law Commission raises “radical” option of granting AI legal personality
The “perhaps radical” option of granting legal personality to artificial intelligence systems is likely to be on the agenda in time, Law Commission has said.
“Political agenda” against volume claims firms, says new Barings boss
There is “a political agenda at play” against volume consumer claims firms, the new owner and chairman of leading practice Barings Law has alleged.
From dispute resolution to listing – MoJ sets out AI action plan
The Ministry of Justice is developing a chatbot, using artificial intelligence, to help people resolve child arrangement disputes without going to court.
City solicitor struck off for child sex convictions
A former City solicitor has been struck off after being convicted at Southwark Crown Court on two separate occasions and jailed for child sex offences.
Number of Bar training course students continues to rise
The number of students enrolling on Bar training courses has increased for the fourth year in a row, to 2,445, with pass rates varying a great deal depending on the course provider.
Car finance fall-out: Millions of claims but “trouble” for some law firms
There are “millions” of motor finance customers in the same position as Marcus Johnson – whose claim succeeded before the Supreme Court – his solicitor has declared.
FCA unveils motor finance plan and warns consumers off lawyers
The FCA yesterday confirmed that it would issue a consultation in early October on a motor finance compensation scheme, stressing that consumers need not use a law firm or CMC.
Misconduct by solicitor leading to civil restraint order “was not noble”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has rejected an argument from a solicitor made subject to a general civil restraint order that his “underlying motivation” was “noble”.
Land Registry starts accepting qualified electronic signatures
HM Land Registry will now accept deeds signed with qualified electronic signatures and is encouraging lawyers and their clients to start using them.
Blog
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
