Latest news
Potential client met with top family law solicitor “to conflict him out” of acting for other side
A leading family law solicitor’s meeting with a potential client was for the purpose of conflicting him out of acting for the other side, the High Court has said as it rejected an application to stop him from doing just that. It said Raymond Tooth – famously nicknamed ‘Jaws’ – did not receive confidential or privileged information.
Law firms view solicitor training reform negatively, SQE survey finds
The more law firms find out about the planned Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), the less positive about it they become, expecting that they will have to top up the knowledge acquired under the new route to qualification, research has found. The poll also found widespread ignorance of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s planned overhaul of training.
Keystone listing will enable “smooth exit” for private equity investor
The public listing of Keystone Law will provide its private equity investor with a “smooth exit” once Root Capital chooses to move on, the firm’s chief executive has told Legal Futures. James Knight was speaking in the wake of yesterday’s news that the ‘dispersed’ or ‘virtual’ firm will list on AIM at the end of the month.
Rebuke for leading legal aid firm that decided theft of client money was not ‘material breach’ of SRA rules
Leading legal aid law firm Duncan Lewis has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for deciding that the theft of client money was not a material breach that had to be reported to the regulator. Instead, it considered the misconduct to be an “internal matter”.
Jailed solicitor ordered to repay £2m crime proceeds, while “narcissistic” judge convicted of fraud
A solicitor who was jailed earlier this year for stealing more than £4m – and maybe as much as £10m – from her clients has been ordered to pay back the £1.9m within three months, or face a further eight years in prison. Meanwhile, a “narcissistic” solicitor and district judge has received a suspended jail sentence after being convicted of fraud offences.
Keystone to become third listed UK law firm with £15m placing
Keystone Law – the pioneering ‘dispersed’ law firm made up of 250 self-employed senior lawyers – is set to become the third legal practice to list on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market, after announcing today that it will raise £15m through the float.
Disruptive ABS declares war on law’s “outdated and inflexible” working patterns, as DWF gains two ABS licences
Multi-disciplinary alternative business structure (ABS) Alpaca is continuing with its efforts to disrupt legal and other professional services by declaring war on traditional working patterns and offering flexible working to all staff – and making three board-level hires as a result.
Partners who withheld cheques from barristers and experts sanctioned by SDT
Partners who withheld cheques for a total of over £530,000, intended to pay the fees of barristers and experts, have been sanctioned by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The architect of the scheme admitted that certain counsel were targeted as they would not kick up a fuss about payment being delayed.
SRA bids to reassure critics of solicitor-free workplace training under SQE regime
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has moved to ensure greater monitoring of future members of the profession who complete their workplace training in firms without any solicitors, under its plans for a new qualification regime. The SRA said external solicitors who sign off work experience in such firms must have “direct experience of the candidate’s work”.
Fees fall for conveyancing and powers of attorney but rise for family work, LSB report finds
Fees for conveyancing and lasting powers of attorney have fallen over the past two years, while they have risen for family work, a report by the Legal Services Board has found. It also revealed that only 18% of law firms publish prices for any of their work in these areas on their websites.
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.
