Practice Management
Tribunal rejects law firm’s bid to strike out disability claim
An employment tribunal has said it would be “wholly inappropriate” to strike out a disability discrimination claim against a law firm from a legal secretary suffering from depression.
Union questions role of senior judges in court modernisation
The biggest civil service trade union has criticised senior judges for becoming too closely involved in the government’s £1bn court modernisation programme.
Leading firm held liable for asbestos case blunder
The High Court has ordered Cardiff-based Hugh James to pay six-figure damages to the family of an asbestos victim for professional negligence in abandoning their personal injury claim.
AI tools “too biased” for sentencing decisions
Bias and inaccuracy render artificial intelligence algorithmic criminal justice tools unsuitable for assessing risk when making decisions on whether to imprison people or release them, according to a report.
Consumers like law firms that publish prices, survey finds
A large majority (77%) of consumers are more likely to use law firms that publish their fees online, a major survey has found. A smaller majority (58%) would be prepared to use freelance solicitors.
Law firms throw weight behind tech start-ups
A London law firm yesterday launched a programme giving non-law tech start-ups already making money free legal advice for six months, and the prospect of investment funds.
Claim over solicitors’ negligence fails to establish loss of chance
A married couple has largely failed in a claim of negligence against a firm of solicitors which had admitted that it failed to advise properly on a separate negligence case against another law firm.
Whistleblowing law firm chief fairly dismissed, tribunal rules
The chief executive of a high-profile law firm was not fired because he blew the whistle on financial problems at the practice, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Tribunal upholds decision to strip CMC of right to operate
A woman who operated an Indian-based call centre to generate personal injury and PPI leads for law firms has lost her bid to overturn the cancellation of her authorisation to provide claims management services.
High Court clears law firms over “fraudulent” property transfers
The High Court has thrown out a claim that two law firms and three solicitors were responsible for two allegedly fraudulent transfers of a property.
Blog
Why good governance matters when managing Law Society forms
Everyday legal transactions rely on Law Society forms. But they are often treated as static templates rather than what they really are: living documents that change over time.
A letter from the SRA? Your first reaction matters
An email from the SRA has a way of rearranging a working day. It arrives in the same inbox as everything else, often in the same measured tone, yet it carries a different weight.
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Reports
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