Ince completes £9.3m fund-raise as shareholder enthusiasm wanes
Listed law firm the Ince Group confirmed yesterday that it had raised £9.3m in a fund-raise needed to ward off financial problems, but there was little enthusiasm among shareholders for part of the effort.
Home secretary: Jail lawyers enabling kleptocrats
The home secretary has made clear that she wants to see lawyers and other ‘enablers’ of kleptocrats jailed for their involvement with “dirty money”.
Biggest conveyancing firms grab market share as ‘dabblers’ start to exit
The number of active conveyancing firms has begun to shrink again after last year’s boom, with the biggest practices increasing their market share, new research has found.
Sceptical crime lawyers lambast Raab’s plan to “extend” higher rights
Lawyers have reacted with scepticism at the suggestion that Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab wants to “extend” higher rights of audience to more criminal defence solicitors.
High Court strikes out LiP’s “vexatious” fraud claim against solicitor
The High Court has struck out a “vexatious” and “abusive” fraud claim by a litigant in person, seeking £160,000 in damages from a solicitor over a 17-year-old property dispute.
“Little evidence” of discrimination or harassment on Bar courses
There is little evidence of bullying, discrimination and harassment on Bar training courses, students have reported as part of research into equality and diversity at the vocational stage of training.
SRA set to curb litigators’ use of ‘private and confidential’ letters
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to issue guidance on when litigators are allowed to label letters as ‘private and confidential’ and/or ‘without prejudice’.
Panel warns on impact of “seismic” change to complaint time-limits
The “seismic shift” in time limits to complain to the Legal Ombudsman will require close monitoring to ensure that consumers do not lose out.
Court throws out £1.3m claim against City firm over service failure
The High Court has thrown out a negligence claim for almost £1.3m served on a City law firm after the time limit for service had expired.
Californian legislators bid to crush any ambitions to allow ABSs
Californian legislators have blocked efforts by the State Bar to consider non-lawyer ownership of law firms, in the latest battle over alternative business structures in the US.
