Latest news
Law Society “not assured” of SRA’s performance post-Axiom Ince
The Law Society has ratcheted up the pressure on the SRA over Axiom Ince by saying it is “not sufficiently assured” that the regulator is doing its job properly.
Government still eyeing client account interest to fund free legal advice
The Ministry of Justice is taking forward work on whether interest on lawyers’ client accounts could be diverted to fund legal services for people unable to afford advice.
Supreme Court to rule on car finance cases on Friday – at 4.35pm
The Supreme Court is to take the highly unusual step of issuing its heavily anticipated ruling in the car finance cases at 4.35pm this Friday.
Solicitor’s tenant jailed after being convicted of his murder
A cannabis addict who believed she was Princess Diana’s secret daughter was last week sentenced to indefinite detention after beating a solicitor to death.
Solicitor jailed for role in multi-million-pound investment fraud
An experienced solicitor has been jailed for his part in helping to run two bogus investment schemes – one involving litigation funding – that conned over 150 victims out of £6m.
Law firm that failed to spot it was acting for PEP fined £173k
A law firm that failed to identify that the beneficial owner of its client was a politically exposed person (PEP) has been fined £173,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Barristers’ social media activity causes spike in complaints to BSB
Complaints about contentious social media posts by barristers have fuelled a jump of a third in reports to the Bar Standards Board, cases described as “inherently complex”.
Division between justice and health “cannot stand”
The traditional division between justice and health is “damaging and confusing and cannot be allowed to stand”, leading legal and medical academics have argued.
High Court labels solicitor’s paid-for evidence “extraordinary”
A High Court judge has described as “extraordinary” the evidence of a solicitor who admitted he was only giving it because he was being paid to do so.
Uncertainty over advocates’ immunity could have “chilling effect”
A High Court ruling casting uncertainty over the immunity of advocates for what they say and do in court could have a “chilling effect”, the Bar Council has warned.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
