Latest news
“Web sweep” of 500 firms to check prices are published
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to carry out randomised “web sweeps” of around 500 law firms over the next few months to check they are publishing fees for certain consumer and business transactions.
Legal Services Board begins hunt for new chief executive
The Legal Services Board is on the hunt for its fourth chief executive in nine years after Neil Buckley decided to stand down after just over three years in the role.
Unqualified adviser admits acting for 200 clients
A man who admitted acting for 200 clients who wrongly believed he was qualified to give them immigration law advice is one of three such offenders to be sentenced recently.
Platform aims to give SMEs legal advice without lawyers
A barrister entrepreneur has launched a DIY platform aimed at giving small businesses subscription access to straightforward legal advice without recourse to a human lawyer.
Linklaters wins “women in the workplace” injunction
City firm Linklaters has won an interim injunction to stop its former business development director from releasing what the firm argues is confidential information relating to staff.
Law Society calls on LeO to focus on rulebook changes
The Law Society has called on the Legal Ombudsman to make “concrete, specific plans” on how it going to cope with the new SRA rulebook, which will allow solicitors to practise from unregulated firms.
Four QCs have switched gender identity, BSB report reveals
Four QCs and 24 other barristers say their gender is no longer the same as that featured on their original birth certificates, a report by the Bar Standards Board has found.
Business environment holding back M&A, says listed firm
A cautious business environment, prompted in part by Brexit, is holding back corporate work and its own acquisition activity, listed law firm Rosenblatt said yesterday.
Firm sent letters with Latin phrases despite client’s learning difficulty
A law firm sent a vulnerable client letters full of Latin and technical phrases, despite being repeatedly told the client had a learning difficulty and needed communications to be in plain English, according to the Legal Ombudsman.
DWF float: “Haircut” for partners but free shares for staff
The partners of DWF will “take a haircut” following its proposed stock market listing, but staff will receive free shares as part of the plan to widen equity participation, its chief executive has said.
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.
