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Online legal services pioneer celebrates landmark anniversary
One of the first online and subscription legal services celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, with its founder putting the lack of copycats down to the profession’s risk averse nature.
Master of the Rolls fires starting gun on civil costs revolution
The Master of the Rolls yesterday signalled his intention to revolutionise civil costs and has already set the Civil Justice Council working on a wide-ranging review.
Solicitors “need to understand” the difference between SRA and Law Society
Solicitors need to understand better the different roles of the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority, the chair of the SRA said this week.
Flexible working overtakes pay as top priority for job-seeking lawyers
Flexible working has overtaken pay as the top priority for lawyers looking for a change of job, a survey has found. Meanwhile, feelings of job security have increased massively over the past year.
Leading firms prepare to offer part-time working to all trainees
Two large law firms – Osborne Clarke and Eversheds Sutherland – have said that they will offer all their trainees the opportunity to work part-time from September 2024.
Strike-off for solicitor who misled clients over progress of claims
A personal injury lawyer who failed to tell six clients that their claims had been struck out, instead misleading them into thinking they were active, has been struck off.
No need for new laws on smart contracts, Law Commission says
There is no need for new legislation on smart contracts because the existing laws of England and Wales can accommodate them, the Law Commission has said.
Solicitor who missed “pathway to partnership” targets loses dismissal claim
A solicitor who failed to meet billing targets under a law firm’s ‘pathway to partnership’ scheme was not unfairly dismissed despite a “bust-up” with one of the partners, a tribunal has ruled.
Reduce AML officers’ billable targets, regulator tells firms
Firms should relieve lawyers who hold their anti-money laundering compliance roles of some of their fee-earning workload and consider appointing deputies too, the SRA has said.
SRA and Law Society clash again over scrapping Solicitors Indemnity Fund
The Law Society has strongly attacked plans unveiled yesterday by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to scrap the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, which provides cover for post-run-off negligence claims.
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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