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The government said yesterday that it is seeking a “close and comprehensive” framework of civil justice cooperation with the EU post-Brexit, which would “mirror closely” the current system. In an announcement welcomed by lawyers, it said it intended to incorporate into domestic law the Rome I and II regulations on choice of law, while remaining part of the Hague and Lugano Conventions.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has banned a series of non-solicitor fee-earners from working in the profession in the wake of one faking a document after missing a court deadline, and two being convicted of fraud. Under section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974, they cannot be involved in an SRA-regulated firm without its permission.

Specialist sports and events agency The Sports Consultancy has launched an alternative business structure to add to its services for rights holder, major event, venue and city clients. It described The Sports Consultancy Legal as “the next step in the evolution of the business’s offering and the first ABS of its kind.

A family lawyer found to have fabricated and backdated letters across of host of cases – including child contact and domestic violence matters – has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. It said “significant harm” had been done to the reputation of the profession and of her firm, Bridge McFarland.

A “disgraceful” solicitor has been struck off after taking around £250,000 from a client under a power of attorney after he had died and also creating false wills for other deceased clients to pay off the legitimate beneficiaries of the first estate. He said the beneficiaries were “hassling” him to distribute money.

Another male solicitor has been rebuked for inappropriate behaviour to a female colleague at his firm’s Christmas party, following two similar incidents last month. The Solicitors Regulation Authority recorded that “whilst intoxicated, he behaved in an inappropriate, physical manner towards a female employee”.

A pioneering online court formally launched in China last week to handle internet-related cases, such as online trade and copyright disputes. Located in and for the e-commerce hub of Hangzhou – home of Chinese technology giant Alibaba – the Hangzhou Court of the Internet is said to be the first of its kind in the world.

A solicitor who wrote on Facebook that it was a shame a plane carrying Jewish refugees had not blown up has been handed a 12-month suspension and £25,000 fine after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found his “despicable” comments to be anti-Semitic. However, the suspension of Majid Mahmood has itself been suspended for a year.

A retired, non-practising solicitor who helped “friends and acquaintances” with legal matters but misled third parties into believing that he was still in practice has given an undertaking to the Solicitors Regulation Authority that he will not repeat his misconduct. He was also rebuked and fined £500.

The entrepreneur who developed a web-based contract checking service almost five years ago is to launch another venture along the same lines, it has emerged. Ralph Ehlers launched Check-A-Contract in 2012 and sold the website two years later, and has now gone live with contractreviewexperts.co.uk.