Latest news
Ex-PI firm set to leave nearly £40m of debts unpaid
The outlook for creditors of failed personal injury firm Roberts Jackson is bleak, with nearly £40m that it owes, more than half to its private equity backer, unlikely to be repaid.
Burnett: “No going back” on remote court hearings
The Lord Chief Justice has said there will be “no going back” to pre-pandemic days for the courts in their use of technology, predicting a permanent change in the way lawyers operated.
BSB approves online exams with “astonishing” anti-cheat rules
The Bar Standards Board has announced that Bar students will be able to take this year’s exams online – but barristers have expressed concern about the “astonishing” anti-cheating provisions.
SDT makes open justice pledge over releasing papers
Non-parties should in principle be given access to documents placed before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and referred to during hearings, it has emphasised in a new policy.
Law firms invest $10m in collaboration platform
Three law firms based in the UK, USA and Singapore, have invested $10m in a collaboration platform launched this week. Lupl aims to be the world’s first “open industry platform for legal matters”.
Conveyancing cheer as government reopens housing market
Conveyancers, estate agents and others involved in the home-moving process can return to work today in line with social distancing advice, the government announced last night.
Judge explains himself in writing after phone hearing fails
A High Court judge has been forced to issue a written ruling because his voice was “breaking up” at the end of a telephone hearing with a litigant in person and the law firm suing her for fees.
LSB calls in the public to advise on policy
The Legal Services Board is to create a standing panel of members of the public to help develop future policies – in addition to its existing consumer panel.
SRA: Firms can prolong extended PII cover with agreement
Law firms unable to secure professional indemnity insurance because of Covid-19 can prolong the extended indemnity period by agreement and with regulatory approval.
Law firm facilitated £8m “cheque-clearing scheme”
An experienced solicitor who allowed her firm’s client account to be used as a banking facility in a £8m “cheque-clearing scheme” has been struck off.
Blog
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.
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.
