Latest news
Judges, not HMCTS, will have “final say” on video hearings
Judges are “embedded” in all the projects that make up the £1bn court modernisation programme and whether hearings are held by video or person will always be a matter of judicial discretion.
Solicitors permanently disqualified as charity trustees
Two solicitors fined by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last summer have now been permanently disqualified as trustees by the Charity Commission in an unrelated matter.
Jailed paedophile barrister disbarred
A barrister jailed for 20 years after pleading guilty to 37 charges relating to child sexual abuse has been disbarred. John Guess, called in 2000, had been a lawyer for the Welsh government.
Brexit will create “colossal body of law”, Lord Reed predicts
Brexit will create a “colossal body of law for lawyers to get their teeth into”, the deputy president of the Supreme Court, has predicted in wide-ranging evidence given to peers yesterday with the president.
SRA finally names the day when new rulebook comes into force
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s new rulebook will come into force some six months later than originally expected. Meanwhile, it has unveiled a new push to check firms’ anti-money laundering compliance.
“Some lawyers have been suffering from GDPR fever”
Some lawyers have been suffering from “GDPR fever” over the past year and given bad advice based on limited knowledge or too cautious an approach, a leading data protection law specialist has warned.
Susskind: Lawyers wrong to think technology cannot replace them
Lawyers are wrong to think that there are tasks beyond technology that only they can carry out, Professor Richard Susskind has warned. He urged lawyers to help build the machines, not compete with them.
Some conveyancers “too close to developer clients”, MPs warn
Some conveyancing solicitors have become “too close to developers” and do not put their clients’ interests first, MPs claimed today. They suggested solicitors should part-fund compensation for mis-sold leases.
Turnover and profits down at bullish NAHL
Revenue and profits were down last year at NAHL plc, the company behind National Accident Helpline and owner of three alternative business structures, its annual results showed today.
Research presses case to offer legal advice alongside healthcare
Providing legal advice services in healthcare settings can both improve access to advice and support health services to manage non-clinical demand, but current provision in 380 centres is poorly funded.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
