Compliance & Regulation
LSB to focus on “fewer but more clearly defined priorities”
The Legal Services Board will focus “more sharply on fewer but more clearly defined priorities” in a three-year strategy to be launched later this year.
SRA outlines specific regulation for law firms using litigation funding
Law firms arranging or using third-party litigation funding for consumer claims will have to tell the SRA about it, under plans unveiled today.
Lawyers “could be negligent” for failing to use AI
Lawyers and other professionals can be sued for negligence for failing to use AI, according to the latest legal statement from the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce.
New protocol for reporting bullying and harassment by judges
A new protocol to help legal professionals raise concerns about bullying, harassment and discrimination by judges has been launched by the senior judiciary.
City solicitor charged with five counts of insider dealing
The Financial Conduct Authority has charged a City solicitor with five counts of insider dealing while working on a listed company’s acquisition.
Most consumers think they should keep interest from client accounts
A majority of clients believe that they should keep interest earned on client accounts, research for the Legal Services Consumer Panel has found.
Legal Ombudsman: Targets missed but getting better
The Legal Ombudsman continued to miss its key timeliness targets over the last year – but by less than the previous 12 months, its annual report has shown.
Barrister disbarred for multiple motoring offences
A barrister convicted of drink driving before the pandemic and twice convicted of driving while disqualified five years later has been disbarred.
Solicitor who closed firm used client money to shop at Morrisons
A solicitor who repeatedly failed to complete a firm closure notification – whilst holding onto his clients’ files, wills and money after his practice shut down – has been suspended.
SRA: “Major shortcomings” in high-volume consumer claim work
The SRA is developing materials to help law firms handling high-volume consumer claims improve how they onboard clients after major research showed significant shortcomings.
SRA outlines further tightening of complaints-handling rules
New rules requiring law firms to give clients a timeline for resolving complaints they have made, and provide regular updates, have been proposed by the SRA.
KC wins appeal against disbarment over Oxford University lie
The High Court has overturned the disbarment of a barrister who lied in an interview and on a CV 13 years ago that he had attended Oxford University.
Solicitor suspended for offensive comments and bottom pinching
A former partner at a City law firm has been suspended for a year after he made antisemitic, racist and sexualised comments to junior colleagues.
PM Law’s finance chief disqualified over missing client money
The longstanding HOFA at PM Law was involved in moving money from its client accounts and then fabricated the bank balances.
KC to face contempt hearing over closing speech
The KC accused of not following court directions in his closing speech on behalf of a Palestine Action activist is to face contempt proceedings.
Blog
Your landlord clients have prepared for the wrong law
Lawyers advising major landlords and build-to-rent operators have spent the better part of a year on the Renters’ Rights Act. A good deal of that advice has been aimed at the wrong risk.
Your website is losing clients before they even pick up the phone
Your website visitor is likely already carrying stress before they arrive. If your site adds to it rather than relieves it, you have likely lost a prospective client.
The growing importance of higher limits in personal ATE
While the personal litigation market is undergoing a period of significant change as claims become more complex, much of the ATE insurance market has remained relatively static.
Reports
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