Latest news
ABS owner given $500m to invest by private equity giant
A global ‘enterprise legal services company’ that effectively owns a London-based ABS is set for massive growth after Europe’s biggest private equity house took a majority stake.
“Olympics bomb hoax” barrister disbarred
Barrister Michael Shrimpton – who was jailed for a bomb hoax at the London Olympics – has been disbarred by a disciplinary tribunal.
“No way” whiplash portal will be ready for April 2020
There are considerable doubts about whether the Ministry of Justice will meet its April 2020 target to introduce the whiplash reforms, this week’s PI Futures event heard.
CMC owners face an end to ‘phoenixing’
An end to owners of CMCs closing down a distressed firm and opening another – known as ‘phoenixing’ – is on the cards under new proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority.
Solicitor and barrister both sanctioned for drink driving
A solicitor and barrister have separately been sanctioned for drink-drive offences, although only the latter appeared before a disciplinary tribunal.
Bar Council slams BSB’s “dilution” of barrister brand
The Bar Council has reacted with outrage to training reforms that it says would automatically ‘passport’ solicitors with higher rights of audience to become barristers.
LeO urges lawyers to ditch web email providers
The Legal Ombudsman has urged law firms that use web-based email such as AOL and Hotmail to invest in a more secure corporate email solution or risk paying out to victims of cybercrime.
City lawyer “diverted client cash to own bank account”
A Spanish lawyer who sent “misleading” emails to divert £183,000 intended for his client to his personal bank account, has been struck off the register of European lawyers.
Law firms losing work due to follow-up failures
Personal injury law firms are missing out on significant amounts of business because of the way they handle incoming enquiries from potential clients.
NAH to unveil “small claims ready” law firm next year
NAHL plc, the company that owns National Accident Helpline, is to launch its “small claims ready” law firm next year, now that the government’s personal injury reforms have been put back.
Blog
The SRA’s strict liability gamble has failed. Good
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dentons v SRA on 27 April, and the profession is right to welcome it. It is the second time in short succession that the court has corrected the SRA.
How AI presents real opportunities for barristers
AI presents real opportunities to improve access to justice and to support barristers in day-to-day legal practice. But we all need to understand and mitigate the risks.
Not everything can be a competition issue – a new dawn for consumer redress
Last month, the Law Commission launched a new project to “consider the potential introduction of a consumer class actions regime” in England and Wales.
