Latest news
Law firm fined £120,000 for 15 years of AML failures
A Southend law firm that failed to comply with anti-money laundering rules for more than 15 years has been fined £120,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Court strikes down “unconstitutional” Trump order against law firm
A judge has struck down an executive order made by President Trump against the law firm Jenner & Block, describing it as “an unconstitutional act of retaliation”.
Solicitor struck off for allowing use of closed firm’s client account
A solicitor who allowed his firm’s client account to facilitate a suspicious £1.1m property transaction 20 months after it had closed has been struck off.
Kent firm’s London expansion leads latest M&A deals
Kent firm Judge & Priestley has moved into the capital by acquiring Portner Law in one of several mergers and acquisitions announced this month.
Apprenticeship funding cut will “undo progress” in profession’s diversity
Changes announced yesterday to how Level 7 apprenticeships are funded will undo “years of progress” in improving the legal profession’s diversity, the government has been told.
CJC calls for “central hub” to develop digital inclusion strategy
The Civil Justice Council has called for the creation of a “central hub” to develop a strategy for digital inclusion and make sure access to justice is a priority.
Bar regulator drops plan for controversial new equality duty
The Bar Standards Board has ditched its controversial proposal to require barristers to “act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion”.
Government to restrict funding for solicitor apprenticeships
The government is to restrict funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, like the solicitor offering, to those aged between 16 and 21, it has announced.
Land Registry to publish law firms’ “avoidable” requisition rates
HM Land Registry is to publish data this autumn showing the number of avoidable requisitions it has to raise with every conveyancing firm.
Restraint order for businessman over continued pursuit of law firms
The High Court has issued an extended civil restraint order against a businessman who has “refused to accept” that his failed £55m claim against two law firms is at an end.
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”.
