Latest news
Firm of “external in-house counsel” joins regulated community as ABS
A boutique firm of external in-house counsel has launched an alternative business structure in order to expand and strengthen its non-lawyer management. London-headquartered Cleveland & Co received its ABS licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, effective from 1 August.
Car crash not to blame for lack of training contract, judge tells litigant-in-person
A judge has told a litigant-in-person that a road traffic accident she was involved in was not to blame for her failure to secure a training contract. Judge Walden-Smith said the “sad fact” was that many “competent individuals” failed to obtain a contract.
Appeal judges limit professional privilege where lives are at risk
Legal professional privilege can be qualified in the “rare circumstances” where it is necessary to impose a requirement that other people are present at discussions between lawyers and clients, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Exclusive: Minster Law signs national advocacy deal with Clerksroom and Parklane Plowden
Personal injury specialist Minster Law has signed an exclusive two-year contract with national chambers Clerksroom and Parklane Plowden, to provide barristers for its fast and multi-track cases. Stephen Ward, chief executive of Clerksroom, said he hoped similar contracts would follow.
Former City “rising star” given suspended sentence by SDT after drink-driving conviction
A former partner at a top City law firm with a history of drink-driving has been given a suspended sentence by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), following a conviction for drink-driving with his five-year-old son in the car.
GT Law “strongly denies any wrongdoing” over Sonae litigation
GT Law, one of the two firms referred to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) by Mr Justice Jay over the Sonae litigation, has said that it “strongly denies any wrongdoing”. The SRA is considering “appropriate action”.
Solicitor ducks regulatory burden by becoming McKenzie Friend
A solicitor who has become a professional McKenzie Friend after 20 years in practice has hit out at the burden imposed on high street practitioners, which he said cost him almost £2m and pushed him into personal bankruptcy.
Serious Fraud Office launches criminal investigation into Quindell
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has announced this afternoon that its director has opened a criminal investigation into “business and accounting practices” at troubled Quindell plc. The Financial Reporting Council has launched its own investigation.
Legal research pioneers to bring “artificially intelligent attorney” to UK
Law firms in England and Wales are in the sights of the creators of the legal research programme powered by IBM’s Watson artificial intelligence computer system, which claims to be able to answer legal queries posed in natural language.
SRA warns criminal lawyers of wider review as row over legal aid boycott deepens
Paul Philip, chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), has warned criminal lawyers that they may be the subject of a “thematic review”, as the row between practitioners and their regulator over the legal aid boycott deepened.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
