Regulation
SQE does “violence to law” as academic discipline
The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination does “significant violence to law as an academic discipline and to our colleagues and students”, law lecturers have argued.
Regulators “must guard against misuse of lawtech”
AI-backed lawtech has the potential to improve access to justice but also carries a danger that automating law will be used negatively, an innovation charity has warned.
What transparency? Only 28% of websites show prices
The profession has a long way to go to meet the new price and service transparency requirements, with just 28% of firms compliant or close to compliant, our research has found.
Drunk barrister “cannot remember” misconduct at Bar Mess event
An experienced barrister told a disciplinary tribunal that he was so drunk at a Bar Mess event he “cannot remember” his “entirely unacceptable” behaviour towards a male pupil.
Quarter of conveyancers “not transparent” on fees
A quarter of consumers believe their lawyer was “not transparent” on conveyancing fees, new research has shown on the day new price and service transparency rules come into force.
Law Society’s £30m cut of practising fees faces scrutiny
The £30m that the Law Society levies on solicitors for its representative work is to be put under the microscope by the Legal Services Board next year.
Scandal of barrister who informed on clients to police
A criminal barrister has caused a scandal in Australia after it emerged that she was acting as a police informant about her gangland clients at the same as she was defending them.
Incoming Bar chair warns of “nightmare scenario” over regulation
The Bar could be “sleep walking into a nightmare scenario” where new rules mean it has no involvement with its regulator, the incoming chairman of the Bar Council has warned.
Struck-off solicitor fails to overturn sentence for conducting litigation
The Court of Appeal has refused permission for a struck-off solicitor to appeal against a suspended prison sentence handed out for conducting litigation in breach of the Legal Services Act 2007.
Law firm’s bid to trade mark ‘legal engineer’ rejected
The Intellectual Property Office has rejected much of a law firm’s bid to trade mark the term ‘legal engineer’, saying it should be free for anyone in the profession to use.
Blog
Is your Google Ads budget funding your competitors’ AI visibility?
If your cost-per-click has crept up again this year, you’ve probably assumed the market simply got more expensive. That’s the wrong way to read what’s happening.
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
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