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.
SRA plans huge increase in fines for misconduct by wealthy solicitors
The SRA is planning huge increases in the fines it can impose for misconduct by wealthy solicitors – from the current £50,000 to £805,000 – while reducing them for lower earners.
Barrister’s witness statement transcription tool trained in legal English
The first transcription tool specifically designed for witness statements has been launched this summer, after the AI was trained to cope with legal language such as “my learned friend”.
Solicitor rebuked for offering invalid document certification services
A solicitor who called himself a notary when he was not and ‘apostilled’ documents despite not being allowed to has been rebuked after he said he was unaware of the restrictions.
Multi-billion-pound class actions target video games and cryptocurrency
Two giant opt-out actions have been filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, claiming billions of pounds in damages on behalf of users of Sony PlayStation video games and cryptocurrency investors.
Almost half of law firms now using review websites…
Almost half of law firms are now using review websites but there remains strong opposition to price comparison for legal services, a Solicitors Regulation Authority survey has found.
… As consumers say they value reviews when selecting lawyers
Consumers see online review websites as a helpful tool to find a lawyer, with those needing family law advice particularly likely to shop around, according to Solicitors Regulation Authority research.
