
Costs judges “can deal with disputes” over law firm retainers
There is no need for a dispute over a law firm’s fees to be transferred from the Senior Courts Costs Office to the Chancery Division simply because it involves the validity of a retainer, a costs judge has ruled.

Mishcon de Reya hit with big fine for anti-money laundering failures
Mishcon De Reya – the leading London firm heading for a stock market listing this year – has agreed to pay a fine of £232,500 over multiple breaches of anti-money laundering rules.

Record year for City partner recruitment in 2021
Last year was a record one for partner hires by City law firms, with the “legal boom” also triggering an associate salary war, legal recruitment consultants have reported.

Accountants finally fall into line on price transparency for probate work
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is finally set to impose compulsory price transparency on the accountancy firms that offer probate services.

Appeal judges shut door on single-stage flight claims
The flight delay compensation industry has suffered a blow after appeal judges rejected a claim over a four-stage flight from the US to India that was delayed when leaving Heathrow.

Law PLC delivers for investors as listed firms’ share prices soar
Listed law firms proved a profitable investment last year, with the annual Legal Futures analysis showing that four of them saw their share prices increase by at least 40%.

‘Director deadlock’ on future direction contributed to failure of top PI firm
Multiple factors contributed to the demise of one-time personal injury giant Hampson Hughes, including the whiplash reforms and the directors disagreeing on its future direction.

Funder refused permission to use privileged material in ‘fraud’ claim
The High Court has refused a litigation funder’s bid to use privileged material to overturn a divorce settlement which it says deliberately provides no assets for the wife to pay the £1m she owes it.

Women more than twice as successful as men in applying for silk
Women were more than twice as likely as men to be appointed Queen’s Counsel this year, it has emerged, after 101 new QCs were named yesterday.

Bar Standards Board lacks “capability, capacity and resources”
The Bar Standards Board lacks access to “sufficient capability, capacity and resources”, the Legal Services Board said yesterday in its annual review of all the legal regulators’ performance.







