Regulation

The use of cutting-edge technology such as AI has become so powerful that legal regulators will have to regulate the tech itself rather than the providers, according to a prominent academic.

A solicitor and her practice manager husband jailed last year for legal aid fraud and facing a £7m civil claim from the Ministry of Justice have now been referred to a disciplinary tribunal.

A chatbot for people with learning disabilities, tools to help women facing domestic violence, and data-supported advice on employment disputes are among the Legal Access Challenge finalists.

A solicitor has been suspended for five years after becoming entangled in a financial scam and unwittingly using her professional status to rope in other victims, as well as losing money herself.

The marketing chief of a failed Manchester law firm who successfully appealed against an order banning him from working for the profession, has been cleared of all charges by a fresh tribunal.

A disciplinary tribunal has heavily criticised a Solicitors Regulation Authority investigation that was so “flawed” that its investigator’s evidence disintegrated under cross-examination.

Specialists have warned of problems for solicitors arising from the new Standards & Regulations being introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in November.

A survey of home-buyers has issued a “resounding indictment” of the lack of information provided by their lawyers and rising concern about developers forcing them to use recommended solicitors.

An experienced solicitor has been struck off for a litany of failures which showed “chaos and disorganisation” in his practice and included dishonestly under-valuing estate assets by nearly £50,000.

Refusal by the Solicitors Indemnity Fund to accept notifications of potential claims could be “catastrophic” for retired solicitors, a specialist in professional regulation and insurance has warned.