Latest news
Burnett calls for action on social diversity at top of profession
Addressing the “lack of social diversity at the top of the legal profession” is an important part of improving judicial diversity, the Lord Chief Justice declared yesterday.
Revised post-Dreamvar completion code splits conveyancers
The Law Society’s toughened up code for completion, which comes into force on 1 May and reflects last year’s Dreamvar ruling, has divided opinion among conveyancers.
Linklaters’ “women in the workplace” dispute settled
The legal dispute between City giant Linklaters and its former global business development director over his intention to discuss its “ongoing struggle… with women in the workplace” has ended.
London firm cultivating groundbreaking cannabis law practice
A London law firm is building what it says is the country’s first dedicated cannabis law practice as it looks to take the lead in a fast-growing market.
Client paid off debts of solicitor he saw as “surrogate daughter”
A solicitor has been fined £25,000 after receiving payments to help clear her debts from a client who viewed her as a “surrogate daughter”. She had “very foolishly” given the client her financial details.
LAG dips toe in water to provide online employment advice
A legal think tank and charity has launched an online employment rights advice service to fill a gap created by LASPO cuts in legal aid. It is starting in London with a view to rolling out nationally.
Construction business becomes ABS to reduce client confusion
A multi-disciplinary construction business has become an alternative business structure, in part to reduce confusion among clients and also offer a one-stop shop.
Law Society: Firms slow to adopt disruptive technology
Law firms are under increasing pressure to adopt lawtech, with the rewards “potentially huge”, but the profession has still been slow to embrace systems that would radically change legal services.
Solicitor “tried to get assault complainant to withdraw statement”
A solicitor who tried to persuade the alleged victim of a sexual assault to withdraw her statement – and was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice as a result – has been struck off.
Regulators “need to sustain” social welfare law training
The government, legal regulators and others need to come together to ensure that the next generation of lawyers have the chance to study social welfare law or face even more ‘advice deserts’.
Blog
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
