Latest news
Law Society “not assured” of SRA’s performance post-Axiom Ince
The Law Society has ratcheted up the pressure on the SRA over Axiom Ince by saying it is “not sufficiently assured” that the regulator is doing its job properly.
Government still eyeing client account interest to fund free legal advice
The Ministry of Justice is taking forward work on whether interest on lawyers’ client accounts could be diverted to fund legal services for people unable to afford advice.
Supreme Court to rule on car finance cases on Friday – at 4.35pm
The Supreme Court is to take the highly unusual step of issuing its heavily anticipated ruling in the car finance cases at 4.35pm this Friday.
Solicitor’s tenant jailed after being convicted of his murder
A cannabis addict who believed she was Princess Diana’s secret daughter was last week sentenced to indefinite detention after beating a solicitor to death.
Solicitor jailed for role in multi-million-pound investment fraud
An experienced solicitor has been jailed for his part in helping to run two bogus investment schemes – one involving litigation funding – that conned over 150 victims out of £6m.
Law firm that failed to spot it was acting for PEP fined £173k
A law firm that failed to identify that the beneficial owner of its client was a politically exposed person (PEP) has been fined £173,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Barristers’ social media activity causes spike in complaints to BSB
Complaints about contentious social media posts by barristers have fuelled a jump of a third in reports to the Bar Standards Board, cases described as “inherently complex”.
Division between justice and health “cannot stand”
The traditional division between justice and health is “damaging and confusing and cannot be allowed to stand”, leading legal and medical academics have argued.
High Court labels solicitor’s paid-for evidence “extraordinary”
A High Court judge has described as “extraordinary” the evidence of a solicitor who admitted he was only giving it because he was being paid to do so.
Uncertainty over advocates’ immunity could have “chilling effect”
A High Court ruling casting uncertainty over the immunity of advocates for what they say and do in court could have a “chilling effect”, the Bar Council has warned.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
