Latest news
Lawyers speak up for “biological reality of sex” in trans debate
Some 60 solicitors, barristers and academics have joined forces to speak up for the “biological reality of sex” in the face of the heated ongoing debate about gender identity and trans rights.
“Partnership penalty” of lower socio-economic background laid bare
Solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds take around 18 months longer to reach partner at major City law firms than those from higher ones, a major study has concluded.
Property industry urges sellers to instruct lawyers from the start
Conveyancers, estate agents, surveyors and others have signed up to an ‘industry pledge’ that urges sellers to instruct a lawyer before, or at the same time as, they put their property on the market.
Defence QC’s accusation against prosecutor was not misconduct
A QC who accused prosecution counsel of bad faith without reasonable grounds was in breach of Bar Standards Board rules but not to the level of professional misconduct, a tribunal has ruled.
BSB: Bar students’ results “broadly in line” with the average
The early signs are that the performance of Bar students in last month’s controversial exams was “broadly in line” with the average, the Bar Standards Board said yesterday.
Vulnerable people left without access to solicitors during Covid
Some of the most vulnerable people have been left isolated and without proper access to solicitors because of the official response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Law Society has argued.
US private equity house takes major stake in listed law firm
An American private equity house has become the largest external investor in DWF after taking a 4.5% stake in the listed law firm worth £10m.
Law firms “in denial” about their post-Covid finances
Law firms’ high level of confidence about the future – despite Covid-19 and Brexit – is at odds with a lax approach to finances and could indicate “an industry in denial”, new research has warned.
Barrister sanctioned for “positive discrimination” jibe at judge
A barrister has been reprimanded and fined for suggesting that a female Asian judge only secured her position as a result of “positive discrimination”.
Students “could save up to £38k” by qualifying with SQE
Students could save as much as £38,000 when qualifying as a solicitor following the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination next September, a report has estimated.
Blog
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
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.
