Regulation
Tax barrister aims to make virtual chambers “biggest of its kind”
A barrister specialising in civil and criminal tax disputes has set up a virtual chambers with the aim of making it the biggest of its kind by the end of next year.
Legal executive banned for purporting to witness signatures
An experienced chartered legal executive who purported to have witnessed her clients’ signatures on a property transfer form has been banned from working in law firms.
CLC highlights compliance risks facing licensed conveyancers
Money laundering, buyer-funded developments, and acting for both sides are among the risks highlighted in the Council for Licensed Conveyancers’ first Compliance Risk Agenda.
Solicitor struck off for harassment convictions fails in appeal
A solicitor struck off after it emerged he had been convicted of harassing a woman in Norway nearly 20 years ago has failed in his challenge to the decision.
Solicitor lied to High Court in claim brought by former partner
A solicitor who lied to a High Court judge during the trial of a dispute with a former partner in his law firm has been struck off. The tribunal said the public would be “horrified” by his misconduct.
CILEX unveils revamped non-graduate route into profession
CILEX has unveiled a redesigned qualification that allows students without degrees to qualify as lawyers with full practice rights or achieve recognised paralegal standards.
LSB to press ahead with continuing competence regime
The Legal Services Board is pushing ahead with plans to introduce continuing competence checks for lawyers. This could include feedback from consumers, judges and peers, assurance visits or revalidation.
SRA to cut office space with hybrid homeworking move
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has decided to cut its office space in Birmingham and close its small London office, with most staff working at least three days a week from home.
A cheaper route to qualifying? ULaw unveils SQE pricing
The University of Law has unveiled a range of courses to prepare students for SQE, costing from £500 to £16,500 – the latter being little different from the existing legal practice course.
Partner who told client to “burn” messages faces contempt hearing
A senior City partner who told a client to “burn” a private messaging app after it was served with a search order should face a hearing for contempt of court, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Blog
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
Linklaters’ chief growth officer takes the ‘blank sheet’ challenge
In the third and final part of this series, Lucy Murphy, chief growth officer at magic circle firm Linklaters, outlines her vision for the law firm of the future.
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge, part 2 – what would you do differently?
In the second part of this blog series, Shainul Kassam, managing director of small London firm Fortune Law, sets out how she would set up a law firm now.
