Regulation
No-deal Brexit “will strip EEA lawyers of special status”
EEA lawyers operating in the UK post-Brexit will be stripped of their special status if there is no deal, the government has confirmed, causing issues for them and their firms.
Law Society pledges action over solicitors’ use of NDAs
The Law Society has told MPs that it is to take action over the inappropriate use of non-disclosure agreements by solicitors, with guidance for both lawyers and clients.
Solicitor “ignored money laundering duties”
A solicitors who recklessly exposed his firm to the risk of money laundering has been fined £12,500 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Civil standard of proof a “positive incentive for solicitors”
Adopting the civil standard of proof for SDT prosecutions could act as a “positive incentive for solicitors to deliver good services”, it was said as the Bar’s change was approved.
Government and SRA work to build BAME trust in solicitors
The Ministry of Justice is working with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to build greater trust in solicitors among black and minority ethnic people in custody.
Barrister wins right to see reports his bank made to police
A barrister has won the right to see suspicious activity reports that his bank made to the National Crime Agency about money received into his accounts.
Jail for PI lawyer who lied in witness statements
A solicitor described by a High Court judge as a “thoroughly dishonest man” has been jailed and a medical expert who produced 32 reports a day handed a suspended sentence.
Survey: Home-buyers “in the dark” over referral fees
Most home-buyers do not know if their conveyancer paid a fee for a recommendation from their estate agent, according to new research from the CLC.
Solicitor faked documents and signatures “to cover up mistakes”
An experienced solicitor who faked documents, including a grant of probate, and forged signatures on conveyancing forms has been struck off by the SDT.
Standard of proof: SRA “already most successful prosecutor”
The SRA enjoys the “highest prosecution success rate of any regulator we have found”, making it unnecessary to lower the standard of proof, the Law Society has said.
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
