Regulation
Law Society and SRA budgets rise but cost of practising to fall
The costs of practising for solicitors is set to fall this year even though both the Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budgets are on the rise.
Immigration lawyers sanctioned for ‘totally without merit’ JRs
Two immigration lawyers who clocked up 14 judicial review applications in a single year found to be totally without merit have been fined and made subject to conditions on their future practice.
Charity pours scorn on quality of immigration detainees’ advice
Legal representation for immigration detainees is poor, including the quality of advice given by solicitors, according to a charity that challenges detention in removal centres and prisons.
Criminal lawyer was “duped by fraudster” over football club deal
A criminal law solicitor who “appeared to have been duped by a convicted fraudster” has been fined for letters he produced to give comfort to potential business partners.
Law Society’s defence of NDA guidance draws heavy fire
The Law Society’s defence of its practice note on non-disclosure agreements has not silenced its critics, with the leading academic in the field accusing Chancery Lane of “putting PR before principles”.
Solicitor hit with £500k POCA fine for using house as office
A West London solicitor has hit with a £500,000 confiscation order for repeatedly disregarding warnings from his local council to stop using a terraced home as an office for his firm.
Law lecturers “free to embrace diversity”, says academic
Academics who decline to pursue diversity in their teaching wrongly think that the content of curriculums for qualifying law degrees is detailed by legal regulators, a leading academic has suggested.
Consumers see technology as key to unlocking access to law
A majority of people in England and Wales think the legal system is not set up for ordinary people, with only half seeking advice from a lawyer when faced with a legal problem, new research has found.
Report calls for end to “macho culture” of chambers
The “macho culture that can pervade chambers” must go if the Bar is to improve its gender balance, a report by a specialist discrimination law firm run by a QC has concluded.
Barrister returns to High Court in BSB race discrimination case
A barrister involved in long-running litigation with the Bar Standards Board, in a case that has already been to the Supreme Court, is preparing for the next stage of her race discrimination claim.
Blog
Why later-life divorce requires a distinct professional framework
Later-life divorce, often described as ‘silver splitter’ or ‘grey divorce’ cases, is no longer a marginal feature of family law practice. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how divorce work is done.
Listening, learning and leading The Solicitor’s Charity with care
As I prepare to hand over the mantle of chair of The Solicitor’s Charity next month, it doesn’t feel like an end. Instead, it feels like a wonderful journey.
Is competition in the legal sector stifling innovation?
As the legal sector’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, Nobel laureates remind us that innovation is not inevitable,and that competition may not always be an incentive to innovate.
