Regulation
Legal Access Challenge winners scoop extra £50k each
A technology platform which supports survivors of domestic abuse and a chatbot helping people with learning disabilities understand their social care rights, have won the Legal Access Challenge.
Law Society hives off SRA – but who keeps £73m of reserves?
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to become a distinct legal entity within the Law Society Group, potentially triggering a difficult debate over the division of £73m of reserves.
Barrister lied to police “to help close friend”
An unregistered barrister who lied about her status to extract information about an investigation by North Yorkshire Police has been disbarred.
Barrister breached court order to see ex-girlfriend
An experienced barrister has been suspended for three months and fined £1,000 for twice breaching a non-molestation order to see his ex-girlfriend.
CLC allows firms to defer payment of regulatory fees
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has become the first regulator to offer financial help during the coronavirus crisis, allowing the firms it regulates to defer the regulatory fees they pay.
Tribunal rejects SRA deal with flight delay solicitor
A disciplinary tribunal has taken the unusual step of rejecting an agreement between the SRA and a solicitor who broke the rules through his involvement with flight delay compensation claims.
Bar Council calls on LSB not to recruit staff during crisis
The Bar Council has called on the Legal Services Board not to recruit more staff during the coronavirus crisis for the task of overseeing legal bodies’ internal governance.
Junior solicitor who lied about lost documents struck off
A junior solicitor at the SRA’s external advisers lied about losing documents while acting for the regulator in a data protection case. She has been struck off despite questions over her mental health.
Scottish Bar chief resigns over train chat indiscretion
The head of the Scottish Bar has announced his intention to resign after being caught talking on a train about his client, Alex Salmond, in a derogatory manner.
Accountant severely reprimanded over SRA report
An accountant found to have “improperly” issued a report to the Solicitors Regulation Authority about a law firm has been severely reprimanded by his regulator.
Blog
The best legal AI doesn’t replace rules-based engines – it completes them
There is a belief circulating in legal tech that AI can solve everything – that LLMs are universally superior to what came before. It is not always true, however.
Small steps, big impact: how SME law firms are making legal tech work
For SME law firms, the priority is turning the potential of tech into measurable impact: success is driven not just by the technology, but by how firms approach planning and implementation.
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
