Regulation
Barrister reprimanded for drunken behaviour at Bar Mess event
A barrister has been reprimanded and fined for his drunken behaviour at a Bar Mess event, where he engaged in “excessively physical and unwanted contact” with a pupil.
Sexual misconduct cases “fuelling big rise” in SDT hearings
A surge in sexual misconduct cases has triggered big rises in the budget and workload planned for the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal next year, it has emerged.
Dissolved company’s files “still privileged”, says court
Legal professional privilege can protect the documents of a dissolved company from disclosure, the High Court has ruled in a case involving global firm Dentons.
Solicitor who sent abusive emails to SRA is struck off
A solicitor who sent abusive emails to members of staff at the Solicitors Regulation Authority and former colleagues, and was convicted of possessing a knife in public, has been struck off.
Training review professors criticise “rudimentary” SQE
The four lead researchers behind the Legal Education and Training Review, which paved the way for radical changes in legal education, have criticised the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
SRA seeks protection over transgender disclosures
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is pushing for protection for staff from criminal sanctions for disclosing information relating to transgender solicitors and other law firm staff.
Restraint order for man who accused solicitors of fraud
The High Court has slapped an extended civil restraint order on a man who claimed the application was an attempt “to legitimise” a law firm’s attempt to defraud him.
Solicitor suspended for firm’s work for dodgy trust business
A solicitor has been suspended for his role in his firm acting for a client that scammed elderly people out of £500,000 with so-called estate preservation trusts.
Personal injury CMC boss jailed for fraud
The boss of a personal claims management company, who lived an “extravagant lifestyle”, has been jailed for 21 months after being convicted of fraud.
Partners failed to pay disbursements in bid to prop up legal aid firm
Three partners at a former legal aid firm have been fined a total of £40,000 for failing to pay disbursements as they struggled to keep the practice afloat.
Blog
Could unpredictable AI costs finally lead firms to true value pricing?
For years, the legal profession has talked of moving away from the billable hour to value-based pricing without quite managing it.
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.
Reports
Associates
