Latest news
Lawyers condemn LeO’s “totally unacceptable” budget demand
The Bar Council has launched an outspoken attack on a planned 20% rise in the budget of the Legal Ombudsman. The Law Society also strongly opposed the move.
Law firms “must recognise impact of online wills”
Law firms must recognise that the market for wills is changing and that younger people are attracted by online wills, after research showed the average age of will-makers was 58.
Small firms “unable to pay for the best lawyers”
Smaller law firms are unable to pay the high salaries that top candidates for jobs are demanding and this is putting them under economic pressure, a survey of 4,000 practices has concluded.
Solicitor sanctioned after calling client “sad and pathetic”
A solicitor who sent “inappropriate, derogatory and offensive emails” to a client and his mother, describing him as a “sad and pathetic man”, has been censured by a tribunal.
SRA money laundering supervision to extend to tax advice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority could face a cash shortage if the new anti-money laundering rules increase the number of firms it supervises, it has warned.
America continues creep towards ABSs
The American Bar Association yesterday encouraged states to consider “innovative approaches to the access to justice crisis” but made clear it was not recommending alternative business structures.
SME legal app launches with consumer version to follow
An app to help small business owners diagnose and get guidance on their legal problems has gone live – with a consumer version set to launch later this year – in the wake of a huge research project.
Sexist comments “remain rife” in legal profession
Some 58% of women in the legal profession say they or women they work with have received inappropriate comments from male colleagues relating to their gender, new research has found.
Sharp drop in LPC pass rate
Pass rates on the legal practice course have fallen significantly, while the achievement gap between white and ethnic minority students remains large, new research has found.
Boutique firm first to commit to ethical quality mark
A niche London disputes practice has become the first law firm to sign up to the Good Business Charter – an ethical business initiative that supported by both the CBI and TUC.
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.
