Latest news
SRA: Law firms must be able to explain decisions made by AI
Law firms must be able to explain “automated decisions”, including those involving artificial intelligence (AI), the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
SQE does “violence to law” as academic discipline
The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination does “significant violence to law as an academic discipline and to our colleagues and students”, law lecturers have argued.
Crowdfunding call to battle ‘legal tech’ trade mark
A legal technology conference organiser is attempting to crowdfund £5,000 for a challenge to the trademarking of the term ‘legal tech’, owned by a US-based legal publisher.
Discrimination claims against leading firm an “abuse of process”
An employment tribunal has ruled that claims of racial discrimination and harassment brought against national firm Shoosmiths amount to an abuse of process.
New ABS combines legal and accountancy advice
A litigation-focused legal and accountancy alternative business structure, which opened for business this month, is set to benefit from an “explosion” in contested probate cases.
Law firms need to offer “holistic services”, says Glaisyers boss
Law firms of the future need to offer clients a “holistic service” beyond just legal advice, according to the boss of a law firm bought by a multi-disciplinary European network last week.
Regulators “must guard against misuse of lawtech”
AI-backed lawtech has the potential to improve access to justice but also carries a danger that automating law will be used negatively, an innovation charity has warned.
What transparency? Only 28% of websites show prices
The profession has a long way to go to meet the new price and service transparency requirements, with just 28% of firms compliant or close to compliant, our research has found.
Drunk barrister “cannot remember” misconduct at Bar Mess event
An experienced barrister told a disciplinary tribunal that he was so drunk at a Bar Mess event he “cannot remember” his “entirely unacceptable” behaviour towards a male pupil.
Law Society to start onsite visits to check firms’ CQS compliance
The Law Society is dramatically beefing up oversight of its Conveyancing Quality Scheme by introducing onsite compliance checks and many more desk-based assessments.
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.
