Latest news
Lenders signing up to “fully digital homebuying service”
Lloyds Banking Group has become the first of several lenders to offer mortgage customers access to a “fully digital homebuying service” in a partnership with Connells and conveyancers.
SRA puts size of suspected PM Law fraud at £40m
The SRA’s investigation into PM Law “involves a sophisticated suspected fraud”, with the improper removal and misuse of £39.5m of client funds.
Judge warns PI firms of SRA referrals over damages deductions
Personal injury solicitors who jack up their base costs to ensure they always hit the 25% cap on deductions from damages risk referral to the SRA, a senior district judge has warned.
Solicitor who billed clients for work he had not done struck off
A private client lawyer who billed clients for work he had not done has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Government eyes consumer class actions regime
The Law Commission has launched a new project to consider whether a consumer class action regime should be introduced.
Exclusive: PE-backed Manchester firm lays out major growth plans
A Manchester-based law firm backed by private equity investment wants to at least triple in size over the next two years and is planning for multiple acquisitions by the end of 2026.
Clients expect lawyers to give them “at least weekly updates”
The vast majority of clients expect their lawyers to update them “at least” weekly and also provide same-day responses to queries, research has found.
Solicitor builds AI adversary designed to dismantle legal arguments
A solicitor who knows how to code has created an AI adversary that stress-tests legal arguments before they are tried in court.
SRA to double size of leadership team as BSB names new chief
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to double the size of the leadership team under chief executive Sarah Rapson with the creation of four new director-level posts.
Collective action “more for benefit of lawyers and funders”
Judges have refused to grant a collective proceedings order over an alleged salmon production cartel because it appears more for the benefit of lawyers and funders than consumers.
Blog
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
