Barristers
Bar Council calls on LSB not to recruit staff during crisis
The Bar Council has called on the Legal Services Board not to recruit more staff during the coronavirus crisis for the task of overseeing legal bodies’ internal governance.
Scottish Bar chief resigns over train chat indiscretion
The head of the Scottish Bar has announced his intention to resign after being caught talking on a train about his client, Alex Salmond, in a derogatory manner.
Barrister suspended for headbutting female colleague
A senior barrister who headbutted a junior female member of chambers during a drunken row, leaving her on the ground with blood all over her face, has been suspended for three months.
Train chat lands Scottish Bar chief in hot water
The head of the Scottish Bar has referred himself to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission after being caught talking on a train about his client, Alex Salmond, in a derogatory manner.
Calls to protect criminal solicitors, pupils and LPC students
Criminal defence solicitors have threatened to stop attending police stations and a protocol to protect pupil barristers was published among efforts to protect the profession during the pandemic.
Government identifies justice system’s keyworkers
Legal professionals involved in court and tribunal hearings, as well as those advising people deprived of their liberty or on executing wills are ‘keyworkers’, the Ministry of Justice has said.
“Strong improvement” in AML oversight by regulators
There has been a “strong improvement” among the legal regulators in their approach to anti-money laundering, their oversight body has reported.
Bar students urge BSB to reconsider exam delay
Students on the Bar professional training course have written a letter to the Bar Standards Board to object to its decision to cancel the April sitting of their exams. LPC students are preparing a similar letter.
Covid-19 round-up: BSB reassures barristers about rule breaches
Barristers who follow official guidance on Covid-19 will not be in breach of their professional obligations, the BSB has said amid a range of developments in the courts, PI and conveyancing.
Bail-jumping barrister suspended after assault conviction
A barrister convicted of assault after beating a woman and of failing to surrender to custody has been reprimanded and suspended from practice for four months.
Blog
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
Expectations keep rising, so prioritise client experience
Law firms are facing growing pressure to place greater focus on client experience or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive legal market.
