Solicitors
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
Blog
A new era of legal operations
What we are seeing in the UK legal market is extraordinary change that will greatly influence how firms operate and compete for years to come.
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
