Regulation
“Confrontational” trainee was not a whistleblower
A trainee who complained of “a perceived lack of training” a few weeks after starting work at a small Norfolk law firm was not a whistleblower, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Barrister “threatened police with kitchen knife”
A barrister convicted of common assault after threatening police officers with a kitchen knife has been reprimanded and fined £500 by the Bar Standards Board.
Asylum lawyers “suffering from emotional toll” of work
Cuts to legal aid and the stigmatisation of clients seeking asylum arising from Brexit have added to the emotional toll suffered by those lawyers practising in the field, research has found.
Written pupillage agreements may help counter “shocking abuse”
Requiring chambers to enter into written agreements with pupils may help to counter “shocking” instances of abusive treatment, the Bar Council has said.
Cross-regulator IP law firm merger breaks new ground
A law firm regulated by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board has merged with one regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, in what is believed to be the first deal of its kind.
CA: Judge wrong to discharge jury over barrister’s closing speech
A judge was wrong to discharge the jury in a criminal trial after “inappropriate” remarks by the defence barrister in his closing speech, the Lord Chief Justice has ruled.
Solicitor taken in by “Pope’s banker” fails to remove PC conditions
A solicitor convicted of a money laundering offence after being taken in by a charismatic conman posing as the Pope’s banker has failed in a bid to remove the conditions from her practising certificate.
SRA considers ditching skills testing from first part of SQE
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is considering whether to abandon the skills element of the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, meaning it would consist entirely of multiple-choice questions.
Partners fined for conflict of interest in coal mine deal
Two former partners in a Welsh law firm have each been fined for acting in the sale of four opencast coal mines where they had a direct interest in the companies that bought them.
Ex-Baker McKenzie boss to face tribunal over harassment allegations
The former managing partner of the London office of Baker McKenzie is to face a disciplinary tribunal over allegations that he sexually harassed a member of staff.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
