Latest news
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%.
Average settlement time in whiplash portal shoots up to 609 days
The average time for a low-value motor claim to settle in the Official Injury Claim portal has risen to an extraordinary 609 days – some 20 months.
High Court rejects law firm’s appeal over “warehousing” claim
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a former law firm whose counterclaim was struck out on the grounds of abuse of process by “warehousing”.
Judge right not to recuse herself over work done in practice
A judge was right not to recuse herself from an equal pay case because of her background handling similar cases when in practice as a claimant solicitor, the president of the EAT has ruled.
CMA action “would put upfront information back on property agenda”
It may take strong enforcement action by the Competition and Markets Authority to make the property sector realise that upfront material information remains a priority.
Law firm named by LeO hits out at “egregious” decision
One of the law firms named by the Legal Ombudsman in the first three full findings it has published has described the decision to do so as “egregious”.
Chambers distances itself from barrister over aggressive tweets
Garden Court Chambers has distanced itself from comments made by a pro-Palestinian member, which included him telling one X user to “Get my name out of your mouth, fascist-Zionist scum”.
Law firms “should not need diagnoses” on neurodiversity
Law firms should respond to the needs of neurodivergent lawyers without requiring them to produce formal diagnoses, a senior neurodiverse solicitor has said.
Gender-critical barrister wins groundbreaking claim against her vets
The barrister who successfully sued her chambers over the way it investigated complaints about her gender-critical views has now won a claim against a vets practice for similar discrimination.
More consumers than ever choosing unbundled services
The proportion of consumers choosing unbundled legal services has hit its highest ever rate at just over a fifth, according to research for the Legal Services Consumer Panel.
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”.
