Latest news
Law firm targets London growth after taking private equity
A 25-partner law firm has become the first mid-market practice in London to take private equity investment, with plans to grow both organically and through acquisition.
Solicitors vote down Law Society bid to raise SGM threshold
The Law Society leadership yesterday lost the vote on its bid to increase the threshold for calling an SGM – and then immediately triggered a ballot of all members.
Court of Appeal crushes challenge to advocates’ immunity
A high-powered Court of Appeal has overturned and completely rejected a High Court ruling that had opened a crack in advocates’ immunity.
Mazur: Non-authorised person “should not be client’s main contact”
Our round-up of developments on the Mazur ruling includes a warning that law firms should consider prohibiting non-authorised staff from being clients’ main point of contact.
Litigation partner’s errors “did not amount to misconduct”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed all allegations against a commercial litigation partner whose “shortcomings did not amount to misconduct”.
FCA to steer motor finance consumers away from legal action
The Financial Conduct Authority is to discourage consumers from pursuing motor finance claims in court, even if they might recover more damages.
Court terminates solicitor’s appointment to cross-examine party
The Family Court has terminated the appointment of a solicitor to cross-examine a mother on behalf of the father because he is also instructed to act for the father in criminal proceedings.
UK law firms increase responsible business scores as US plunges
The top 100 UK law firms have increased their responsible business scores, while the average results for US counterparts have crashed “in the face of political headwinds”.
Police filmed solicitor acting for both complainant and defendant
A criminal defence lawyer who was filmed by police advising the complainant in a domestic abuse case while acting for the person accused of headbutting her has been suspended.
Reforms “will push conveyancing fees down by over 20%”
Conveyancing fees should fall by over 20% as a result of a streamlined process and other changes to the home-buying regime announced yesterday, the government has claimed.
Blog
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
