Latest news
“No procedure” for informing law firms about banned staff, SRA admits
There is no “current procedure” by which the Solicitors Regulation Authority informs law firms that non-solicitor members of staff have been banned for working for them, it has emerged following a case where national firm DWF took on an employee who was later banned for an incident in her previous role.
Regulator’s training plans could “promote nepotism”, Law Society president says
The Law Society has condemned plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to revolutionise the training of solicitors, warning that they could “promote nepotism” and favour “wealthier students”. The plans include introduction of a Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
Law firm takes the plunge as minority investor in legal tech company
A law firm has become a minority investor in a legal tech company, in what is understood to be the first move of its kind. Taylor Vinters said it wanted to develop new technology through collaboration with other businesses,
Online pioneer embraces ABS “to reassure SME clients”
A pioneering online legal business aimed at SMEs has obtained an alternative business structure licence to reassure clients nervous of engaging with internet-based legal advice services that it is also a regulated law firm.
Confused? You should be, as LeO decides not to become ADR body
In a further twist to an already complicated saga, the Legal Ombudsman has decided not to become a certified alternative dispute resolution body for the time being. Certification would double LeO’s deadline for complaints from six to 12 months.
Pure Legal announces first purchase of law firm, buying Pryers for £13m
Pure Legal, the alternative business structure set up by former head of Quindell Legal Services Phil Hodgkinson, has announced its first purchase of a law firm. Pure has bought Pryers, a medical negligence specialist based in York, for £13m.
Coming soon to Asda? Canadian firm based in Walmart stores plans rapid expansion
A Canadian law firm which runs offices inside Walmart supermarkets is planning to almost double in size next year, it has emerged. Mark Morris, co-founder of Axess Law, said the firm could potentially expand into the USA and the UK.
Plan to smooth paralegals’ path to CILEx qualification sparks “confusion” claim
A proposal by CILEx Regulation to make it easier for paralegals to become qualified legal executives has been fiercely rejected as likely to cause “confusion to employers and consumers” by the new voluntary paralegals regulator.
First law firm regulated by the SRA gains access to BARCO
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued its first waiver to a law firm it regulates to allow it to use the Bar Council’s escrow service BARCO, with three other firms in the pipeline, it has emerged.
Legal regulators should work “much more closely together”, Conservative MP says
An influential Conservative MP has said he is “very keen” to see how the legal regulators could work “much more closely together”. Alberto Costa is a solicitor and member of the justice select committee.
Blog
Mazur: a symptom not a cause?
If Mazur is a symptom, what does it mean for the underlying health of our civil justice system: the ‘finest legal system in the world’?
Cross-generation collaboration: the key to in-house legal tech adoption
In-house legal function leaders will increasingly have to evolve their thinking on how to manage multigenerational teams containing differing levels of technological expertise.
AI and law firm risk – the view of professional indemnity insurers
In considering law firm applications for cover, many insurers will expect to see evidence of how firms are adapting to AI and preparing for the future.
