Scotland edges closer to full-blooded ABSs
Reforms to the way legal services are regulated north of the border, including the introduction of alternative business structures with majority non-lawyer ownership, moved a step closer last week.
Show some “energy” to tackle ethics concerns, LSB chief tells regulators
The “lack of energy” from legal regulators to deal with what appears to be strategic failures of regulation is becoming “mildly ridiculous”, the chief executive of the LSB has argued.
First law firm B Corp calls in B Corp ALSP
Bates Wells, the first UK law firm to become a B Corp, has started working with alternative legal services provider Obelisk Support, while Freeths has become the largest legal B Corp.
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.
