NDA and SLAPP misuse continuing despite regulatory warnings
Solicitors are still engaging in dubious practices around non-disclosure agreements and strategic lawsuits against public participation, despite regulatory warnings, it was claimed last week.
Lawyers’ use of generative AI “accelerating quickly”
Lawyers’ use of generative AI is accelerating quickly but there is a major mismatch between in-house and private practice expectations of the impact on billing, new research has found.
Rule committee opposed elements of FRC reforms, minutes show
The Civil Procedure Rule Committee rejected some of the government proposals to amend the extended fixed recoverable costs regime that will come into force this year, it has emerged.
CA warns against misuse of judgment clarification procedure
The delivery of a judgment “is not a transactional process”, the Court of Appeal has warned, saying the clarification procedure was being misused in family cases.
Woman fails in contempt bid over application to debar her solicitors
A woman has failed in her bid to bring contempt proceedings against her ex-husband and his business associate, who she claimed conspired in an attempt to stop her instructing certain solicitors.
Scale and pace of law firm M&A “will increase this year”
There is a “higher level of confidence” among law firm buyers and “clear signs that the scale and pace” of M&A will increase in 2024, a report has found.
NAO exposes government’s failure to manage legal aid market
The Ministry of Justice’s failure to manage the legal aid market – beyond reducing its budget – has been laid bare by a major report from the National Audit Office.
Public “may reasonably question” SRA approach to Post Office scandal
Members of the public may “reasonably question” the ‘wait and see’ approach of the SRA to disciplinary action in the Post Office scandal, a regulatory expert and former SRA manager has said.
Attorney General urges collective action on bullying at Bar
The Attorney General has praised barristers who speak up about bullying and harassment at the Bar but said more than individual reports are needed to tackle the problem.
SRA goes ahead with fee caps for financial mis-selling claims
The SRA is going ahead with plans to introduce the same system of fee caps for law firms handling financial services mis-selling claims as the Financial Conduct Authority has for CMCs.
