Regulation
High Court rejects solicitor’s appeal against suspension
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor against his suspension by a tribunal but struck down some of the conditions for his return to practice.
Former cabinet minister to chair IP regulator
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board has unveiled Lord Smith of Finsbury – better known as the former Labour cabinet minister Chris Smith – as its new chair.
FCA will have power to cap personal injury CMCs’ fees
The Financial Conduct Authority will have the power to cap the fees of personal injury CMCs, although there is currently no need, says the Treasury.
Barrister fined for failing to follow instructions
An experienced criminal law barrister has been fined by a disciplinary tribunal for failing to apply for a forfeiture order on behalf of his client.
Solicitor falsely billed law firms to feed cocaine habit
A solicitor who was convicted of fraudulently submitting false invoices for police station work to fund his cocaine habit has been struck off.
NDA furore: Employment lawyers back more ethics training
Employment lawyers support targeted ethical training in the wake of the furore over NDAs, while the Bar Standards Board is to issue guidance on their use.
Suspension for solicitor convicted of ABH against ex-boyfriend
A family law solicitor convicted of actual bodily harm after she hit her former boyfriend in the face with a glass has been suspended from practice.
Clients “losing millions” as fraudsters target solicitors
Fraud is hitting the solicitors’ profession ever harder, with tens of millions of pounds of client money lost to cybercrime and dubious investment schemes, the SRA has warned.
MPs tell regulators to up game on harassment and NDAs
Legal regulators must show that lawyers will face “serious sanctions” if they sexually harass clients or colleagues or misuse non-disclosure agreements, MPs said today.
LSB reforms to end “different treatment” for accountants
The Legal Services Board is to impose reform that will end the “different treatment” for accountancy regulators which also oversee legal services.
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
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