Practice Management
One in three legal consumers using online services
A third of consumers are now accessing legal services online while telephone-based services are declining, new research has found. However, the proportion shopping around is still relatively low.
City firm called in to advise on Legal Access Challenge
The innovation division of City law firm Ashurst has been appointed as technical adviser to the Legal Access Challenge, which aims to support and accelerate ideas to use technology to improve access to justice. The challenge is the centrepiece of… Read More
MPs restrict role of Lord Chief in setting online court rules
MPs have backed a government amendment that would limit the role of the Lord Chief Justice in approving requests to make new rules for the proposed online court.
More backing for AI contract drafting start-up
An artificial intelligence start-up whose contract-writing assistant draws on a law firm’s own body of data and teaches itself without the need for training by lawyers, has received a further £1.2m in seed funding.
DWF trainee loses unfair dismissal claim over confidential emails
A trainee solicitor fired by listed law firm DWF for sharing confidential client information with a friend has failed in her unfair dismissal claim before an employment tribunal.
Government to legislate for legal advice on NDAs
The government has pledged to change the law to ensure that employees signing non-disclosure agreements receive independent legal advice, and work with the SRA on updated guidance.
MPs urge caution over speed of online court development
MPs have urged the government to learn the lessons of previous major IT projects and move cautiously with the development on online courts.
University’s legal tech students build app for advice centre
Law students on Manchester University’s first ever legal tech and access to justice course have designed an app to enable clients of its legal advice centre to find help when the centre is closed.
Law firm’s NDA under spotlight in tribunal case
A tribunal was entitled to allow a law firm facing a discrimination claim from a former solicitor to have its say on whether an ex-colleagues should be ordered to give evidence, having signed an NDA.
Crime agency adds online lawyer impersonation to hit list
The impersonation of lawyers to commit advance fee frauds has been added to the list of large-scale cyber-attacks from which the National Cyber Security Centre is trying to protect the public.
Blog
The power of participation for trainees and apprentices
It’s important as a trainee or an apprentice to get involved in the life of your firm – even under the pressure of discovering how to navigate professional life and now the demands of the SQE.
Is it time to change how law firms view compliance?
Although COFAs often hold senior positions and play an essential role in a firm’s financial and regulatory integrity, the perception of the compliance function itself is still evolving.
From templates to culture change: Lessons from the SRA on source of funds
The SRA’s new thematic review into source of funds and wealth reveals both progress and persistent blind spots, with source-of-funds checks too often thought of as a procedural hurdle.
