Regulation
Barrister sanctioned for shouting and pulling faces at judge
A senior junior barrister has been reprimanded and fined £1,000 for her “rude and unprofessional” behaviour in court, including shouting and pulling faces at a judge.
‘Sham marriage’ solicitor loses strike-off appeal
The High Court has dismissed an appeal by a solicitor struck off after telling an undercover television reporter that he would help them apply for a visa on the back of a bogus marriage.
Compensation Fund cuts would be “devastating”
Cutting the maximum size of Compensation Fund awards from £2m to £500,000 could have a “devastating” impact on “unlucky claimants”, the Law Society has warned.
High Court overturns barrister’s suspension due to “lacuna”
The High Court has overturned a decision to suspend a barrister for failing to comply with a Legal Ombudsman direction – because he was already suspended at the time of the events.
Consumers “ignore” conveyancing fraud risk as solicitor jailed
Consumers are more worried about the fee conveyancers charge to transfer their money than the risk of it being stolen, research has found at the same time that a solicitor is jailed for fraud.
Asons liquidators settle action against successor firm
The liquidators of Asons have settled their claim against its successor practice, after alleging that the controversial personal injury law firm was sold at an undervalue.
Bar students urge online exams rethink
Bar professional training course students have told the Bar Standards Board that its plans for online examinations risk discriminating against women, carers and the disabled.
Solicitor and firm sanctioned over property work
A law firm earned some £800,000 in fees on three failed property development schemes as well as ‘quick sale’ conveyancing where it acted for both sides, a tribunal has heard.
Lawtech products “may need direct regulation”
Lawtech products may need to be directly regulated as they become more complex, and it is harder for lawyers to understand how the underlying algorithms work, new research has suggested.
Virtual legal business launches US subsidiary
A virtual law business that uniquely combines regulated and unregulated legal practices, with lawyers in the UK and across the world, has launched a subsidiary in the USA.
Blog
Legal director: an alternative to partnership
Firms are increasingly acknowledging the need for alternative senior roles – positions that offer influence and recognition without the obligations of ownership.
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
