Latest news
Leading legal academics call for “overriding ethical duty”
The LSB should introduce an “overriding” ethical duty for lawyers, much like the overriding objective in civil procedure, the UCL Centre for Ethics and Law has argued.
Arbitrators who use AI warned against “cognitive inertia”
Arbitrators who use artificial intelligence in their decisions have been warned against “cognitive inertia” in new guidelines from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Court issues stark warning to lawyers over AI-generated fake cases
The president of the King’s Bench Division today issued a stark warning to lawyers about the serious consequences they will face for misusing AI before the courts.
“Manifestly incompetent” solicitor suspended over running of firm
A sole practitioner who was dismissed as a consultant after selling their firm has been suspended for three months by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Acquisition marks next step in aggressive growth at Octopus Legacy
The Octopus Group, the £13bn financial services and energy business, claims it is now the second largest estate planning business in the country after buying WSL Will Writing.
Profession welcomes CJC report – except FCA oversight of law firms
This week’s Civil Justice Council report on litigation funding has received a positive reaction from the profession, except the idea of the FCA co-regulating law firms with ‘portfolio funding’.
Ex-Linklaters employee banned for “serious sexual misconduct”
A former employee of Linklaters has been made subject to controls on his future employment in the profession over “serious sexual misconduct” targeted at a junior colleague.
Investigation raises doubts about rigour of Law Society’s CQS
Seven in 10 law firms fined for anti-money laundering breaches in recent months have Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation, raising serious questions about how it is checked and enforced.
Court protects solicitor deputies asked to pay off drug debt
The High Court has ordered two solicitors acting as deputies for a man in his 20s not to pay off a £17,000 debt he owes drug dealers.
APIL urges regulators to act over “scattergun” dishonesty claims
Abuse of the fundamental dishonesty rules by some defendants in personal injury cases is likely to escalate if regulators do not address the issue, according to APIL.
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”.
