Regulation
Unregulated firms employing solicitors “must be clear with clients”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has spelled out the importance of unregulated firms that employ solicitors under its new rules ensuring that clients understand the limitations of the arrangement.
Barrister suspended again after returning from drug-conviction ban
A barrister who only recently returned to practice after completing a three-year suspension for a high-profile drugs conviction, has been suspended again.
Green light for civil standard of proof at SDT
The Legal Services Board has approved the change in the standard of proof used by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal from the criminal to the civil standard.
“Put your house in order,” court tells solicitor over higher rights
The High Court has told a solicitor who accidentally exercised higher rights of audience without the formal qualification to do so “to put his house in order”.
City firm called in to advise on Legal Access Challenge
The innovation division of City law firm Ashurst has been appointed as technical adviser to the Legal Access Challenge, which aims to support and accelerate ideas to use technology to improve access to justice. The challenge is the centrepiece of… Read More
Motoring lawyer fails to overturn drink-driving fine
A solicitor specialising in motoring offences has failed to overturn a £15,000 fine imposed on her by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal following a second conviction for drink-driving.
SRA received 70 workplace harassment complaints last year
The Solicitors Regulation Authority received 70 complaints about harassment in the workplace last year, many of which were about law firm working environments, it revealed yesterday.
Cry freedom: New rules “strengthen regulators’ independence”
The Legal Services Board has finalised revised rules to ensure clearer separation of regulatory and representative functions at bodies like the Law Society and Bar Council.
High Court rejects solicitor’s appeal against £15,000 fine
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor against a £15,000 fine for paying £900 from a client into his personal bank account, again testing the boundary between dishonesty and a lack of integrity.
Report calls for better regulation of criminal defence work
An “effective system” is needed for monitoring the quality of criminal defence lawyers, a report has argued, identifying the way “perverse financial incentives” bear on the provision of services.
Blog
Why AI and leadership choices will define law firm profitability in 2026
Despite rapid advances in legal technology, the future of law will not be determined by software alone. It will be shaped by leadership decisions.
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.
