Latest news
Access to justice is improving, says Master of the Rolls
Access to justice is “improving” and people are “surprised when they use the new systems which we’ve put in place” how easy to use they are, the Master of the Rolls has told peers.
Lack of confidence “the biggest barrier to social mobility”
Lack of confidence is the biggest barrier to social mobility in the law, according to a founder of the City Solicitors Horizons scheme, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this week.
Decade of first listed law firm and now 10 years of revenue growth
Gateley has marked the 10th anniversary of becoming the first listed law firm in the UK with another year of growth in revenue, which is now three times that of its pre-float level.
Birss: Accreditation of experts “could be extended beyond PI”
“Further forms” of accreditation for expert witnesses beyond the existing MedCo scheme in personal injury could be “worthy of consideration”, the deputy head of civil justice has said.
Law Commission reform to aid conveyancers with chancel repair
The Law Commission is planning to take one burden off conveyancers’ shoulders by removing doubts about chancel repair liability and the need to take out insurance.
Legal regulators advise MPs on changing code of conduct
The chief executives of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board yesterday recommended MPs adopt a principles-based approach to regulating outside interests.
Firms, not solicitors, to feel impact of 11% rise in cost of practising
The cost of practising as a solicitor is set to increase by 11%, or £16.6m, in the next year, although the financial impact will be felt by firms rather than individuals.
Disciplinary tribunal fines law firm £58,000 for AML breaches
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has fined an East London law firm £58,000 for anti-money laundering rule breaches over a six-year period.
Law firm in CAT case calls for £6m charity donation
The law firm acting for the claimants in the boundary fares collective action has called for a donation of £5-6m from unclaimed damages to the Access to Justice Foundation.
Big rise in complaints about SRA’s handling of intervention files
The number of clients complaining to the Solicitors Regulation Authority about its failure to retrieve their documents after it shut down a firm has shot up by over 50%.
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”.
