Latest news
SDT makes order against Spanish lawyer after jurisdiction challenge
A former Spanish partner of City firm Ashurst has failed in a challenge to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal’s jurisdiction in assessing his inappropriate conduct towards two female colleagues.
Burford invests in consultancy as it eyes stakes in large law firms
Burford Capital has made a clear statement of intent to ramp up its investing beyond litigation by taking a minority stake in a UK consultancy that launches and helps manage law firms.
SDT clears newly qualified solicitor in “chaotic” firm
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed all allegations against a newly qualified solicitor working in “a chaotic operational and management structure”.
Women barristers “disproportionately affected” by new complaints rule
Women will be “disproportionately adversely affected” by plans to introduce mandatory reporting by barristers of any complaints barristers receive, the Bar Council has warned.
Property owned by ex-wife of convicted solicitor sold
The SFO has secured £1.1m from the sale of a house following the first unexplained wealth order, issued against the ex-wife of the solicitor behind the Axiom Legal Financing Fund fraud.
Suspension for managing partner who fabricated client-care letter
A managing partner who fabricated a client-care letter and backdated it has been suspended for 12 months, after an allegation of dishonesty was dropped.
“Too many examples of judicial bullying,” says Lady Chief Justice
The Lady Chief Justice has acknowledged that a minority of judges fail to behave with the professionalism and courtesy expected of them.
Automated decision-making among new Law Commission projects
The Law Commission has launched a project to examine whether new legislation is needed on automated decision-making by public bodies, using algorithms and AI.
Harman urges drastic action to end Bar’s “culture of impunity”
“Decisive and radical change” is needed at the Bar and the bench to reset a “culture of impunity” that allows those at the top to bully or harass others, the Harman review has concluded.
Solicitor suspended over trivial but dishonest email change
A solicitor who dishonestly made a minor amendment to an email when he forwarded it to a client – causing no harm to them or anyone else – has been suspended for a year.
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.
