Latest news
Peers say lawyers need stronger ethical training
The House of Lords constitution committee has called for the ethical training of lawyers to be “reviewed and strengthened” and given throughout their careers.
Aviva-backed law firm bids to automate much of probate process
A “hybrid” probate law firm set up by a former banker and backed by Aviva is aiming to use lessons from fintech in its bid to automate and streamline the process.
Conveyancer cleared after exchanging contracts on day of instruction
A solicitor has been cleared of misconduct when acting on the exchange of contracts for an elderly client’s property on the same day he was instructed.
Mazur in the courts: from “naked opportunism” to “I can’t ignore it”
A barrister who has had to argue the Mazur ruling from both sides in recent weeks has highlighted the different approaches courts are taking.
SDT’s cost to the profession set to fall next year
The Legal Services Board has approved a reduced budget for the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal of just over £3m for 2026, a drop of 2.5% from this year.
CILEX applies to appeal Mazur ruling
CILEX has applied for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Mazur judgment, even though it was not a party to the original case, it announced today.
Judge attacks law firm’s “unconscionable opportunism”
An employment judge has condemned “unconscionable opportunism” by a Cornish law firm in seeking to “capitalise” on a procedural error by a disabled receptionist.
Pre-pack deal and global merger lead way in latest M&A
A well-known Midlands law firm being sold following a pre-pack administration and a huge transatlantic merger lead the way in the latest M&A news.
Peers split on increasing NI contributions for LLPs
Peers were last week split on the idea of making limited liability partnerships pay employer-style National Insurance contributions.
High Court dismisses negligence action over KC’s drafting of claim
The High Court has granted summary judgment to a KC accused of negligence in the way he drafted the particulars of claim against a law firm and a firm of property agents.
Blog
SRA supervision and AI: what firms will be asked to prove
AI intensifies scrutiny of whether firms can demonstrate that they were in control of the systems through which legal services were delivered.
How ELD NextGen will improve employers’ liability tracing
The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office is continuing work towards the launch of ELD NextGen, the next generation of the employers’ liability database, in early 2027.
Fifteen years on: Lessons from ABS reform
Fifteen years ago this month saw the very first alternative business structure. At the time, the prospect of non-lawyers owning law firms was dubbed ‘Tesco Law’.
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