Lawyers and students flock to help free legal advice CIC
A community interest company set up to offer free legal advice to those unable to pay for it and not eligible for legal aid has increased the number of its volunteers from nine to 50 during the pandemic.
Partner fired for ‘topping up’ fees fairly dismissed, Court of Appeal rules
The Court of Appeal has reinstated the ruling of an employment tribunal that a law firm was entitled to fire a partner accused of ‘topping up’ legal aid fees with cash from a client’s father.
Review of Bar exam chaos points finger at BSB and Pearson VUE
The Bar Standards Board and electronic testing company Pearson VUE have both come under fire from the independent review of last year’s Bar professional training course exams.
Solicitors Regulation Authority eyes £2m budget boost
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to increase its budget by £2m in the next year as it looks to step up work on issues ranging from anti-money laundering to supporting lawtech.
Firm sued over ground rent that doubles every five years
A West Midlands law firm is being sued by a client who claims it failed to tell of a “ridiculous” ground rent that doubles every five years – meaning she will be paying £1m a year in 50 years.
Trial set for “most serious allegations” made against solicitors in civil courts
What a High Court judge said yesterday were among “the most serious allegations ever levelled against English solicitors in civil proceedings” will be heard in January 2023, he has decided.
EAT upholds ‘worker’ status for barrister tribunal chair
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has upheld a ruling that a barrister who sat as a tribunal chair for the Nursing and Midwifery Council was a ‘worker’ and entitled to sickness and holiday pay.
Latest deal for law firm consolidator as M&A rumbles on
Law firm consolidator Metamorph Group has unveiled its latest acquisition, as we round up the latest M&A news and report on a major new international force launched in France and Germany.
Global network targets London with second UK law firm acquisition
International professional services group ETL Global has acquired 30-partner London firm Laytons for its network, doubling its legal footprint in the UK with further acquisitions to come.
Investors back start-up that turns collaborating lawyers into virtual firm
A lawtech start-up has far exceeded its target to raise funding of £120,000 for software that links lawyers who know each other so they can collaborate remotely and compete with large firms.
